Tamoxifen - What you need to know about this breast cancer drug

When a doctor tells you or a loved one that you have " breast cancer," it's normal to feel like your whole world has come crashing down. Along with the fear and anxiety that come to mind, you also have a thousand questions about the treatment and medication that the doctor prescribes. "Is this medicine good for the body?", "Will it cause side effects ?", "Will this really work?" Things like that are probably running through your head. That's how we are going to talk about Tamoxifen, a very important drug that is widely used in the treatment of breast cancer , in a simple and friendly way today.

Simply put, what is Tamoxifen?

Tamoxifen is a drug used to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer . It comes as a pill (Nolvadex®) or a liquid (Soltamox®).

Now you might be thinking, "What is this hormone-dependent cancer?" It's very simple. Some cancer cells in our body are like a small plant. Just like a plant needs water and nutrition to grow and grow, these cancer cells need hormones called estrogen or progesterone to grow and spread. That's what we call 'hormone-dependent cancer'.

What the drug tamoxifen does is block the action of the estrogen hormone that cancer cells need. It's like turning off the water tap for a plant. Then the cancer cells don't get the message they need to grow.

Also, doctors sometimes recommend this medication to prevent cancer in people who are at high risk of developing breast cancer (for example, if someone in the family has had cancer ).

Who is this medicine recommended for?

Tamoxifen is not given to all breast cancer patients. Your doctor will consider many factors, including your medical history and the type of cancer, to decide if this medicine is right for you. It is mainly used in the following cases:

• As a measure to prevent cancer in those with a family history of cancer or who are at high risk of developing breast cancer due to factors such as BRCA gene mutations .
• Prevent recurrence of cancer in someone who has already had breast cancer and has undergone treatment such as surgery , chemotherapy , or radiation therapy .
• Prevent cancer in the other healthy breast for someone who has cancer in one breast.
• For someone with a very early stage of cancer, like DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) , prevent it from spreading further and becoming a more serious cancer.

What are the main benefits of Tamoxifen?

Tamoxifen is a drug that has helped save the lives of millions of women around the world for decades. The benefits of this are not insignificant.

• Reduces cancer recurrence: This drug can reduce the risk of cancer recurring after treatment by 30% to 50% .
• Protects the other breast: For someone who has had cancer in one breast, the risk of developing cancer in the other breast is reduced by about 50% .
• Prevents cancer: For someone at high risk, the risk of developing cancer in the first place can be reduced by about 40% .
• Strengthens bones: This medicine helps prevent osteoporosis , a bone thinning disease that occurs especially after menopause.
• Lowers cholesterol: Tamoxifen also has the ability to reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the body.

What are the possible side effects of taking Tamoxifen?

Like any medicine, Tamoxifen can cause some side effects. But this does not mean that you will experience all of them. Some people may not feel any at all. Others may experience one or two. Knowing these things in advance will help you cope with them.

Let's break these side effects down into two parts.

When do you need to call the doctor urgently?

If you are taking Tamoxifen and experience any of the following symptoms, you should inform your doctor immediately or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of your nearest hospital.

• If you experience chest pain or difficulty breathing .
• If you get a fever .
• If you have symptoms of a stroke - for example, slurred speech, blurred vision, or sudden numbness on one side of the body (arm, leg, or face).
• If your legs, ankles, or feet suddenly swell (especially just one leg).
• If you can't stop vomiting .
• If you have unusual vaginal bleeding .

Some other common questions about Tamoxifen

Is Tamoxifen a chemotherapy?

No. This is where many people get confused. Tamoxifen is a hormonal therapy . It belongs to a class of drugs called Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) . Chemotherapy is a treatment that kills rapidly dividing cells (cancer cells as well as healthy cells). But Tamoxifen works in a different way, at the hormonal level.

Is it safe to take Tamoxifen during pregnancy?

Absolutely not. Getting pregnant while taking tamoxifen can cause serious birth defects . So if you are taking this medication, you should avoid getting pregnant . Hormonal birth control (like birth control pills) is not suitable at this time, so talk to your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control method (like condoms or IUDs). It is important to use birth control for at least two months after stopping the medication.

What foods and drinks should you avoid while taking Tamoxifen?

Yes. Some foods and drinks can reduce the effectiveness of Tamoxifen. Therefore, it is best to avoid these:

• Grapefruit
• Tangerines
• Alcohol of any kind

Do side effects occur immediately after starting to take the medicine?

This varies from person to person. Some people may start to notice small changes from the day they take the first pill. Others may not notice anything for months.

How long does the medicine stay in the body after stopping?

Tamoxifen remains active in the body for about two weeks after you take the last pill, but it can take about three months for it to completely leave your body.