Should I take Tamoxifen

[alleykatt]

It seems the normal protocol for er/pr+ breast cancer is 5 years of tamoxifen. I have had two oncologists tell me that I can't take it because I am premenopausal. What is the standard procedure. I had negative lymph nodes. I am 36 years old.

Is there anything else I should take to help lower the estrogen in my body?

[donz156]

A related discussion, what other alternative to tamoxifin was started.

[Tipsey]

A related discussion, Tomoxifen was started.

[alleykatt]

The only explanation I got was it doesn't show to be beneficial to women my age. My doctor thought the benefits of tamoxifen did not outweigh the risks. I am almost 3 years out from treatment. Would it be worth my while to start taking it now?

Thank-you for your comment.

[Elle53]

Hi,

I'm not the doc, but if you do a search you will find out that you can take tamoxifen if you are premenopausal or postmenopausal.  You just have to be ER positive.  Perhaps there is another reason they don't want you to take it?

Good luck!

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear alleykatt:  Of all the "hormone" medications for breast cancer, tamoxifen is the one that is appropriate for premenopausal women.  For some, it will induce menopause and in others, it will not.  In either case, it is considered to be an effective choice of medication.  A more aggressive approach that some doctors use is to induce a chemical menopause with Lupron.  You may benefit from a thorough discussion with a breast oncologist.  If your ER/PR status is positive, there well may be benefit to tamoxifen.