Should I Take Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer Treatment?

Hi , My diagnosis at 47 was IDC, ER+, HER2+. I’ve been on Tamoxifen for 3 years (out of 5). It put me into menopause, 20lb weight gain practically overnight, muscle pains and caused thickened endometrium and polyps which were another cancer scare. I’ve had a few biopsies as a result which came out negative so I will likely continue taking the Tamoxifen to reduce reoccurrence. I have an upcoming appt with onco to discuss.

Thank you for your response. And thank goodness for the negative biopsy results. I’m 53 and still have not entered menopause. Hardly any symptoms of peri menopause. So the side effects are a bit of a concern. I fully understand that the pill may reduce the risk of reoccurrence. My oncologist said it would reduce the chance by a few percentages but still by something. It’s just seems like a lot of uncertainty either way. I told myself I’ll give it til the end of month to decide. Thank you again and hope the upcoming appt comes with some relief of your side effects. 💞

I should add that my period initially stopped because of the chemo. After taking Tamoxifen the quick menopausal changes were difficult. I feel like I lost any enjoyment the last 3 years I’ve been on it. I understand your concern and sometimes wonder if I made the right choice especially with the miserable weight gain and body aches. I was just going with what my doctors recommended but they never got into all the specific side effects - just that we could manage them (not true). At the same time if I didn’t take it, I think I would’ve worried all the time.

Making treatment decisions can feel overwhelming, especially when weighing potential benefits against side effects. Many community members have shared their experiences with tamoxifen, and their perspectives might help as you consider your options. This decision is deeply personal and worth discussing thoroughly with your oncology team, who can provide guidance based on your specific situation and help address any concerns about long-term treatment.