Think Pinker

I’ve been talking a lot lately about Tamoxifen. Released under the name Tamoxifen, this drug is also known as Nolvadex in generic terms. It is an SERM, which means it reduces the ability of cells to respond to the female hormone estrogen. Why is this beneficial for something like breast cancer? Most breast tumors occur in the duct–the tissue of which is sensitive to estrogen. Estrogen sensitive tumors grow more rapidly in the presence of estrogen.

Tamoixfen reduces estrogen so it can help reduce the growth of these types of breast cancer tumors. This medication has been available for breast cancer treat since 1998. It is prescribed more often than other treatment measures. Why?

• It reduces the recurrence of breast cancer between 30-50% in women of all ages.
• cuts the risk associated with new cancer in the opposite breast.
• It helps shrink breast sensitive tumors.
• It helps slow mestastases or spreading.
• It lowers breast cancer risk for some women.

Tamoxifen has been around for a long time. It was first introduced in the 1970s, but not for breast cancer at that time. Since its first use is as an estrogen inhibitor, the medication has been used to stop the advancement of osteoporosis. It can also help reduce bone loss after menaupause.

One interesting sidebar on this medication is that it can also help lower cholesterol. Tamoxifen is still king when it comes to preventing cancer. Check out the breastcancer.org site as it has a lot of helpful and detailed information about many topics releated to breastcancer.