Tamoxifen is primarily used to treat and prevent hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. This type of breast cancer relies on estrogen to grow and spread. Tamoxifen acts as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), meaning it blocks estrogen from binding to estrogen receptors in breast tissue .
Specifically, Tamoxifen is used:
- To treat early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: It is often prescribed after surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
- To treat advanced (metastatic) hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: It can help slow or stop the growth of cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
- To reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in women at high risk: This includes women with a strong family history of breast cancer or other risk factors.
- To reduce the risk of contralateral breast cancer: Meaning, to reduce the risk of developing cancer in the opposite breast.
Tamoxifen works by competing with estrogen for binding sites on cancer cells, effectively blocking estrogen's growth-promoting effects. It is crucial to emphasize that Tamoxifen is a medication prescription, and its use must be supervised by a healthcare professional. They can assess individual risk factors, determine the appropriate dosage, and monitor for potential side effects. Prior to initiating Tamoxifen therapy, a thorough consultation with an oncologist or healthcare provider is essential .
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