Treating Breast Cancer with Tamoxifen

[@JaniceSpaceToRelaxQigong]

Thank you for your videos. Is there any advantage to having the ovaries removed in ER positive breast cancer? If there is nothing to produce oestrogen then surely this could have the same effect as tamoxifen without the side effects of this drug? Obviously there are other effects in the body from having no oestrogen but I just wondered if ovariectomy was an option in such a case?

[@aboutbreastcancer7067]

Hi Janice. Yes, for certain types of ER + breast cancer removal of the ovaries or their chemical ablation is performed.

[@JaniceSpaceToRelaxQigong]

@@aboutbreastcancer7067 thank you. I was only wondering because fat cells produce oestrogen too so I wondered if ovary removal would be sufficient to keep oestrogen production low enough to avoid recurrence. Best wishes, Janice.

[@user-vp4cx5cz7s]

Hi Doctor. Thank you for your channel. Would you go over information about Papillary Carcinoma (ER+,PR+, KI67- ~5%, Grade1)as well? Just got dx in early 40s and not enough info out there. I am newly married and want to try to have kids and worried that I may have to be on tamoxifen when I don't really have time as I am in my 40s. If my papillary carcinoma is well contained and clear margin, not yet invasive, hormonal therapy is still a must? Also, does papillary carcinoma feels bigger/longer lump than the actual ultrasound tumor size?

[@aboutbreastcancer7067]

With the information you provided it would appear that your tumor has a highly favorable prognosis. If you share your concerns with your doctors about fertility, they should be able to walk you through your options, and I think you can attain all of your goals.

[@bourgsusan]

Why is tamoxifen only prescribe to for 5 years what happens after you stop taking it?

[@aboutbreastcancer7067]

Good question. That question has been answered in clinical trials which have shown that there is no significant increase in survival after taking tamoxifen for greater than 5 years, but the side effects continue to accumulate.

[@bourgsusan]

@@aboutbreastcancer7067 What do you mean, "the side affects accumulate?" What it benefit someone that has never had breast cancer but has strong family history to take tamoxifen to prevent ever getting breast cancer?

[@bourgsusan]

Would*

[@aboutbreastcancer7067]

@@bourgsusan there are women at elevated risk for cancer who would benefit from taking tamoxifen as a preventative medication. This was demostrated in studies referred to as the STAR trial.

[@natasha3210]

So no benefit for taking tamoxifen for 10yrs..one should jus take for 5yrs?