tamoxifin and endometrial cancer

Thank you for posting this! I just said no to Tamoxifen because I've had endometriosis for 20 years. Oncologist treated me like an idiot until I brought him government documents proving that it is a known carcinogen that causes cancer! I told him I was NOT going risk one cancer for another.

We have to get the word out....this is a dangerous medicine.

Anggiecat52-



Since I have my ovaries & uterus with an insane history of Endo. 6 laporoscapies with laser surgeries. I am not going to take a synthetic estrogen blocker. First I am going to check my hormone levels to see exactly where my hormones are? My little beast was estrogen drunk so most likely I am estrogen dominate. Which probably means my progesterone is too low. After I do the 24 hour hormone test I will know exactly what is out of whack. There are natural supplements that lower estrogen. ( DIM) Indole 3 Carbinol. That is documented to be effective for lowering estrogen.

I will give it my best shot and be monitoring estrogens every month, if it doesn't work....then I will re evaluate and go from there.

I wish you good health!

I live in Ca. There is a proposition " Prop 65" it lists all known toxins and carcinogens that are legally used in everything. I have gone organic so I was looking on the site to see if I recognized anything? Tamoxifen is there twice. known to cause cancer.....what the heck right?

Not one of my BC mates were aware of the Endo risk. They say they would never have taken it if they did. There are other estrogen blockers they would have opted for. But now it's too late. Their feelings, their words not mine.

Hi everyone -- I posted a different thread but see that you are all talking about what I am wondering about.    I have been on tamox 2 and half years, usual side effects - hot flashes, weight gain, tummy issues, but nothing unbearable.    Had a uterine thickening last year so doc tried to do a endo biopsy in the office but so painful i could not get through it well.   i have had two children by c section because i did not dilate, no women in my family can interestingly enough.    so i said no more office biopsies, bring on the needle in the arm and Versad and put me in happyville, i don't care, i would rather have a d and c.   Flash forward this year -- thickening again and they want to do a hysterosonogram - a ultra sound with saline injected into the cervix - and I am freaking that it will be like the biopsy?   hate to be  a baby, but asking for D and C instead - am i crazy????

THanks Luan -- after my bc lumpectomies, I had two, i was out of the facility and eating lunch within an hour so I know I am fine with the light anethesia (although one time the nurse actually looked like a deer with glasses on).   I also went to work every day after rads so I am preety good but these things just make me anxious as my crazy sheltie.    MY NP said she would give me a valium, as a pill.   Last time I tried the biopsy, i actually took a couple zanax and the ibuprofen and still went off the table.    So I don't know if valium is going to do it or I am just making too much of it.........

My story for those of you about to undergo a procedure to your uterus that involves dialating the cervix:  My gyn gave me a prescription for a pill that is used prior to abortions.  It softens the cervix.  For my hysteroscopy (and saline injection) I was awake and not in pain, just uncomfortable, but immediately OK when all tools were withdrawn.  I took the pills again the night before my polypectomy, for which I had an anesthesiologist knock me out for about 20 minutes (not my choice) with Versaid & something else. You might want to ask your gyns about this pill.  It is NOT the 'morning after' pill.

I have to call my doc tomorrow.  I decided I did not want any invasion into my cervix without anesthesia due to my history, besides, the TVUS already showed thickening to 6 mm (last year it was 8 before the D and C)so the hysterosonogram is only to verify the measurement.       So if it is thought to warrant a D and C to rule out any thought of cancer, I am better with that.  I am 54 and have not had a period since starting the tamox but i probably was going into menopause anyway.

  I had my annual mammo today.   I looked at the images on the computer when she was done, and saw no microcalcifications, which is how I got here in the first place, so keep fingers crossed for it to pass all other looks!   I also found out I may be able to retire from NYS in December when i turn 55! I didn't think i would have quite enough time but I bought some old time back!! Whee -- Pet Smart here I come!

I don't know, Juli, maybe some of the others can respond to other options.  I know the thickening that I have had  -- my onc kept me on the tamox but we did the D and C to rule out cancer cells - last year it was benign,normal tissue.    This year thickening again (6mm)  and I just got word yesterday i am going for a D and C on June 17 (which i prefer as cannot tolerate biopsy in the office)  if this keeps up, rather than stop tamox, we are talking hysterectomy.  I am 54 - on t for 2 and a half years.    Onc says because my cancer was DCIS, Tamox is the only option (plus i am a high metabolizer and extremely hormone positive cancer)

Luan - I was on Raloxifene before I was on Tamox. Maybe I can go back on that.

Traveler - Thanks. I really need to talk to my gyno or onc. I will call again.

Hi Girls, Just wanted to let you know I got the nod of approval for my "Tamoxifen Holiday." I was weeping at the Onc.'s today and told him I didn't know how many more gynecological cancer scares I could handle, or how many more outrageous periods I could take. He gave me a reprieve from Tamox until my next appt. on August 15th. Hurray!! It feels better having his blessing! And I got a clean mammogram, to boot! Tammy

Dianeinil, 

You say: "I wanted you to realize that it is FAR more common for women to get uterine cancer from it then we are told..." 

Why do you think it is far more common than we are told....because you got it? Just curious. I'm sorry that happened to you, but the large studies of women on tamoxifen show that uterine cancer happens to about 2 out of 1000. It seems that you were just one of those unlucky women, no? Again, I'm sorry you had to go through that....but I don't think your experience means that it's far more common than we are told. 

Edited to correct frequency of uterine/endometrial cancer for women on tamoxifen 

Hey Moonchild,

About that backpain?

Could you be more specific?  Yesterday I bent over in the driveway and the worst pain I have EVER felt in my life (bar none) occured in my lower back.  It dropped me to my knees and I actually screamed...I couldn't get up for 10 minutes, and couldn't put any weight on my heels for about 30 minutes....I had to walk on my toes...

Never had anything happen like that before in my life.....I did have some muscle spasms during chemo...but damn it really hurt....and today I am still sore from it.

Dianeinil,

Exactly! we have a right to know what it is we are taking & what the risks may be. I had no idea it was a known carcinogen? I had to figure it out my self. My oncologist knew...with 6 laser surgeries in my history for endo problems, why would they still prescribe it? when a " high risk endo person" is guaranteed problems.