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Some breast cancers need the hormone oestrogen to grow.
Tamoxifen is an 'anti-oestrogen' drug. This means that Tamoxifen
slows or stops the growth of cancer cells that are already
in the body and need oestrogen to grow. It does this by preventing
the body's own oestrogen from entering the cancer cells. This
deprives the cells of oestrogen and speeds up their natural
death.
Tamoxifen is absorbed into the bloodstream and carried to
all parts of the body. In this way, it also reaches cancer
cells that may have broken away from the main cancer and slows
or stops them from growing.
Key Points
- Tamoxifen is usually started 1-4 weeks after surgery.
- If you have chemotherapy you will start Tamoxifen after
you finish chemotherapy.
- You take Tamoxifen every day, normally at night.
- Most women take Tamoxifen for 2-5 years.
- You should see a gynecologist annually to check for possible
thickening of the uterus.
- Tamoxifen has some benefits. It reduces the risk of new
breast cancer developing. There is also a reduced risk of
developing heart disease and osteoporosis
- Don't take Tamoxifen if you are or want to become pregnant
- You must not become pregnant if you are on Tamoxifen.
If you get pregnant, tell your doctor at once.
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