Surviving Breast Cancer Now!

I am lucky, I have just been for my annual mammogram and breast cancer check up and I have learned that I am still clear of this horrible disease. It is now 5 years since I was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. 5 years clear: wonderful. However, that does not mean I am treatment free. I have been taking Letrozole for these first five years. The side effects of that drug are many and various. I think I suffered all of them, except high blood pressure! Anyway, the oncologist says it is time to move on from Letrozole to Tamoxifen.

Tamoxifen is another form of hormone treatment, known as endocrine therapy, for those who have had breast cancer. It is only prescribed if the breast cancer had receptors within the cell that bind it to oestrogen. All breast cancers are tested for oestrogen using tissue from a biopsy or after surgery. My tumour was found to be HER2+ and, as this can stimulate cancer tumours to grow, Tamoxifen is prescribed to help stop any cancer cells from growing.

If you are found to be hormone receptor negative, then Tamoxifen will not be of any benefit to you.

Primary breast cancer, which has not spread beyond the breast and lymph glands, may be treated with Tamoxifen after surgery. The lymph glands are under your arms. Tamoxifen is used as additional treatment to reduce the risk of the cancer returning and also to reduce the risk of new cancers developing. This is called adjuvant therapy.

Occasionally, Tamoxifen may be used as the first treatment for breast cancer. This may be when surgery is not appropriate or before surgery to shrink a large breast cancer tumour. Shrinking a large tumour in this way may mean that a mastectomy (breast removal) may be avoided and a lumpectomy (removal of the tumour and surrounding tissue) may be sufficient treatment. Also, Tamoxifen may be used for breast cancer that has returned into the breast or surrounding area. It can also be used if you are diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. This is when cancer cells from the breast have spread to other parts of the body.

In some instances, Tamoxifen may be an option for some people who have a high risk of developing breast cancer because of family history of the disease. This is in order to reduce the risk of development of breast cancer.

Tamoxifen is usually taken as a tablet, but may be prescribed as a liquid for those who find swallowing difficult. The recommended dose for the majority of people is 20mg. It is best to take one at the same time each day, but, if you miss a dose, it is not necessary to take an extra tablet because there will be a high enough level of the drug in your body from the previous day.

Usually, you will be prescibed Tamoxifen for a period of between 5 and 10 years. I have been told I should take the drug for a 5 year period. So, here goes, Tamoxifen here I come!

Valerie Penny