Breast cancer AND a stroke: exchange experiences, chat.

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Traveltext
Traveltext Member Posts: 2,089
edited October 2018 in Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity


Many people here have dealt with the effects of a stroke following BC treatment. Whether it's related to taking tamoxifen, or through family history or hypertension, having a stroke and the ensuing recovery adds a new dimension to your life and brings with it further challenges.

BCO have an article on strokes here: http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects...

A study HERE, concluded: Women with breast cancer who were treated with tamoxifen had an 82% increased risk of ischemic stroke and a 29% increased risk of any stroke, but the absolute risk is small.

Another study HERE concluded: Tamoxifen use is significantly associated with 2.5-fold increased odds of ischemic cerebrovascular disease among older women with breast cancer in Taiwan. There are duration-dependent and dose-dependent effects of tamoxifen use on the risk of ischemic cerebrovascular disease

Courtesy of Beesie, here's an article about the complex interrelationship between a stroke and cancer. Cancer and stroke may occur independently in a given patient, or cancer may directly or indirectly lead to stroke. More HERE.

However, strokes may have nothing to do with our cancer medications.

This thread invites all those dealing with BC and a stroke (either ischemic or hemorrhagic) to share their stroke experiences.


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  • Traveltext
    Traveltext Member Posts: 2,089
    edited November 2017


    Three weeks ago I awoke with blurred vision and an unsteady gait. Diagnosed as having an ischemic stroke, I spent a couple of days in hospital and was discharged with meds for hypertension, anti-coagulants, and statins. An MRI confirmed a clot had travelled to a blood vessel in my brain. I'm now fine, except for some double vision (diplopia) caused by slight facial palsy, which I think will disappear with time and eye exercises.

    My question to medical people now is why did this happen, out of the blue, and with no apparent trigger? I'd like to blame the tamoxifen but this may be impossible to prove. I certainly don't like the idea of discontinuing this important drug. So, stuck between a rock and a hard place is where I am.


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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited November 2017

    I sure hate to hear about the stroke. So glad you're recovering. Gee - that sure is a rock and a hard place. Ugh.

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  • Traveltext
    Traveltext Member Posts: 2,089
    edited November 2017

    Thanks farmerlucy, I'll weave a way through this. One thing I've found, however, is that there's a clash between one of the stroke drugs and tamoxifen so I'll see how important this is when I see my onc next week


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  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited December 2017

    I've been taking Tamoxifen for 4 1/2 years. I have no history of any clotting disorders or cardiovascular disease but I suffered a stroke 5 months ago during a diagnostic procedure. It's been tougher to recover from the stroke than it was to recover from the chemo or surgeries. I hope the Tamoxifen isn't a contributing factor because I believe I have to take it.

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  • Traveltext
    Traveltext Member Posts: 2,089
    edited December 2017

    That's interesting Maureen1. Yes, we need Tamoxifen, but we don't want to risk having another stroke. What lingering issues do you have from the stroke? Arguably, a stroke is more debilitating than bc, so we need to ensure we don't get another one. Are you on extra meds such as anti-coags, bp lowerers, or statins?


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  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited December 2017

    Yes, definitely don't want another stroke...they can't really say exactly what caused the first one. The road back to be able to regain the use of my right side has been very difficult. I have no history that predisposed me to clots except the Tamoxifen but the diagnostic test could have caused the clot since that's a risk of the type of artery study that I had and the stroke occurred during the procedure. I don't need any meds except an aspirin a day. I am still going to therapy to regain full use of my right side. Have your doctors given you any recommendations related to Tamoxifen? It's difficult to think about going off the Tamoxifen since my tumor was highly estrogen positive but my MO hasn't recommended that I go off it.

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  • Traveltext
    Traveltext Member Posts: 2,089
    edited December 2017

    I'm hoping your continued rehab brings back the use of your right side. This would be very debilitating. Im sorry the stroke occurred during a medical procedure.

    I'm seeing my onc next week and will ask her about tamoxifen and blood clots. Meanwhile I'm on an anti-coagulant, a bp lowering pill and a statin to avoid a repeat episode


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