Tamoxifen 20 Mg 60 Pill Review

II was diagnosed with DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in-situ) at the age of 39 after having done a self breast exam only 10 months after my mammogram.  DCIS is a contained tumor (not spreading) and my type was Estrogen induced.  I found what felt like a pea-sized lump close to the surface of my breast.  The lump was not painful nor did it move.  I immediately saw my OBGYN who referred me to my General surgeon and wrote orders for another mammogram.   I was 39, how could I have breast cancer?!  Yet, I was one of the luckier ones.  Typical treatment for DCIS consists of the following:

1.  Partial mastectomy of the infected breast (in essence my breast size in the cancerous breast reduced by only 1 cup size).  I opted to have the breast reconstructed during this surgery.  My personal choice was not to have implants but to have the uninfected breast made symmetrical to the surgical breast.

2.  5 Years of Tamoxifen therapy (exactly 5 years, not 1, 3 or 6)

3.  7 weeks of radiation treatment to the cancerous breast (5 days a week).  I was able to dodge this bullet after consulting with my Oncologist.  Everyone is different.  Be sure to do research and ask questions, but also remember that knowledge doesn't replace the education of the doctor.

In considering Tamoxifen as a patient, I at first fought fiercely with my Oncologist about taking it.  The side effects I read about were horrible, other woman I'd spoken to told me horror stories and I feared that at on top of all the surgeries, I would have to place my faith in a drug that I just didn't trust.  It was my decision, and after much research I committed myself to the 5 years of Tamoxifen.  Tamoxifen is the only well studied drug to reduce the chance of reoccurence of brest cancer in pre-menopausal women.  At 39, I was far from menopause. 

I'm now over 2 years into taking this drug daily.  I have had very few side effects with the only truly disturbing one to me is loss of hair.  I've had some thickening of the cervical lining and see my GYN regularly.  I've had one D&C to correct bleeding issues.

I'm now almost 42 and my last two mammograms have been perfectly clear.  I attribuate most of that to not only early detection but Tamoxifen. 

There are other preventative drugs for breast cancer.  Between patient and doctor, one must chose what's right for one's condition and personal concerns, but as for me, the drug has kept me alive and on my feet for my boys.

Always talk to your doctor about any medication you have to take long term.