Anti-oestrogens (tamoxifen)

Tamoxifen [brand name Nolvadex] is the most widely used hormone treatment for breast cancer. Anti-oestrogens are used to treat all stages of breast cancer where the tumour is found to be oestrogen receptor (ER) positive.

Anti-oestrogens are used:

After a lumpectomy or mastectomy, to prevent breast cancer from spreading or coming back.
To control breast cancer which has spread to other parts of the body.

Anti-oestrogens block the effect of oestrogen on breast cancer cells, and can slow down or stop their growth. They don't stop the body making oestrogen but they do stop the cancer cells from using it.

How do you take them?

Tamoxifen comes in the form of a tablet that you take every day. If you are taking tamoxifen to prevent your breast cancer from spreading or coming back, you will probably be advised to take it for five years.

What are the benefits of taking tamoxifen?

Tamoxifen can reduce the risk of breast cancer returning by about 30 per cent. On average it has been shown to reduce the risk of developing a second breast cancer by about 50 per cent.

Tamoxifen also reduces the risk of heart attacks, and it slows down the process of osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) in postmenopausal women. This could help reduce the risk of broken bones.

Side effects

Tamoxifen can have side effects including menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes. It may also make you put on weight. Tamoxifen may increase your risk of blood clots (thrombosis) and cancer of the lining of the womb (endometrial cancer), although this is rare. In most women the benefits of taking tamoxifen outweigh the risks.

To find out more about this treatment, visit the Cancerbackup website.

Also within "Treatment"

Follow up
Surgery
Radiotherapy
Drug therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone treatment
- - Receptor test
  - Anti-oestrogens (tamoxifen)
  - Aromatase inhibitors
  - Goserelin [Zoladex]
  - Progesterones (Provera, Megace)
- Antibody treatments
Complementary therapies