holistic alternatives to tamoxifen?

I am also looking for a holistic approach.  The S/E for Armidex (the other estrogen supressing drug) is uterine CANCER, hello!  The Armidex made my joints ache terribly and I had horrible moods.  I am now taking flax seed oil, but would really welcome any/all recommendations.  Blessings! 

Research Calcium D-Glucarate and Indole 3.  Look at eating an anti-estrogenic diet.

otter butting in here, on a forum where she doesn't belong...

Re:  "The S/E for Armidex (the other estrogen supressing drug) is uterine CANCER, hello!"

Just to keep the record straight:

There are three "estrogen-suppressing" drugs in common use these days -- Arimidex, Femara, and Aromasin.  None of them has uterine cancer as a side effect.  There are other, serious problems associated with those drugs, all of which are "aromatase inhibitors," but one thing you don't have to worry about is uterine cancer.

Tamoxifen, which is not an estrogen-suppressing drug (tamoxifen is a "SERM" = selective estrogen receptor modulator), does have uterine cancer as one of its most serious SE's.  The risk of uterine cancer is a little bit less with Evista, the other widely used SERM; but it's still higher than with the 3 aromatase inhibitors.

Anyone interested in a holistic approach to all this might want to stop by the 2 relevant forums in the "Treatment" section of the boards.  One deals with complementary and holistic approaches (things used in addition to conventional treatment); the other deals with "alternative" approaches (things used instead of conventional treatment).  Both are very active forums.

otter

If your tumor is positive for estrogen receptor, tamoxifen will reduce your risk of recurrence by about half--i.e., 50%. That percentage is known because of long- term large research studies. Not to say holistic might not help too, but there's no comparable research (i.e. Large clinical trials). Not everyonr can take tamoxifen, but you might ask you oncologist what your own personal recurrence risk is, and then decide if it is worth it to you to take tamoxifen. I was worried too about tamoxifen side effects. After some intense hot flashes the first few months, everything has calmed down, and I am glad to have the extra protection.

Exactly.  It's important to understand the difference between your relative risk and your absolute risk.  For pure DCIS, my personal risk of recurrance was around 3%.  So, a 50% reduction is 1.5%.  1.5% wasn't worth the side-effects and potential uterine cancer - which is one of the cancers my mother died from.

ej - I would talk to your medical oncologist (you should have one if you are considering tamoxifen). And I think the final pathology will help. Though my oncologist was ready to start to discuss post-surgery options pre-surgery based on initial pathology and my genetics test results (BRCA-).