This page has been written in loving memory of my mother Joan who died three months after taking Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer. She died of a Pulmonary Embolism a known side effect of Tamoxifen.

The Drug

Tamoxifen is the oldest of all the SERMs (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators). Tamoxifen is prescribed for women with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer before and after menopause.

How It Works

Tamoxifen blocks the female sex hormone oestrogen. The hormone influences the growth of cells related to female reproduction, such as those in the breast or the uterus. If there is too much oestrogen in the system, cell growth can accelerate to the point where tumours start to develop. Tamoxifen competes with the sex hormone for the same proteins - called receptors - found on the surface of cancer cells. When the drug locks onto the receptors it blocks the way for oestrogen - which would otherwise activate the cancer cell to divide and make the tumour grow.

Benefits

Tamoxifen can shrink tumours and prevent breast cancer from returning.

Side Effects of Tamoxifen

Nausea Indigestion
Flushes
Weight Gain
Change to Periods

Depression, tiredness and dizziness
Headaches
Blood clots (Thrombosis)
Visual problems
Voice changes
Tumour Flare

Tamoxifen -
A Major Medical Mistake
http://www.all-natural.com/
tamox.html

Side Effects of Tamoxifen
http://www.breastcancer.
org/tre_sys_tamox_sideEff.html

Tamoxifen
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/lifestyle
/healthfitness/health_advice/net
doctor/archive/100002526.html

Tamoxifen -
Truely a Miracle Drug
http://www.estronaut.com/
a/tamoxifen_info.htm

Test predicts risk of blood
clot in women receiving
tamoxifen therapy for
breast cancer
http://www.dana-farber.org
/abo/news/press/test-predicts
-risk-blood-clot-women-
tamoxifen-therapy.asp

Tamoxifen and Depression
http://www.breastcancer.org/
research_hormonal_110001.html

Watch for Depression
with Tamoxifen
http://www.medscape.com
/viewarticle/455908

Coping with the Side Effects
of Tamoxifen
http://www.imaginis.com
/breasthealth/side_effects.asp

All Things Considered
http://www.npr.org/templates
/story/story.php?storyId=
5346681