Tamoxifen Prescribed as Preventive for Women With No Cancer Diagnosis?

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Moopy23
Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hello, everyone, my older sister Jackie saw her gync. today; based on my diagnosis and other factors, the gync. recommended that Jackie take tamoxifen. This doctor says my sister, all things considered, now has double the risk factor for breast cancer. I won't be seeing my onc. for a few weeks but will be asking his opinion.

My sister had cervical cancer more than 25 years ago and has dense breast tissue like me. She is 10 years older than I am (59).

Have any of you heard of this use of Tamoxifen? I am very worried about my sister taking the drug since she already takes HRT. Thank you in advance for any advice/info, comments, or suggestions.

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  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #2
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    Moopy-glad you're feeling better!
    I have not heard anything like that, but since my sister is also like me with the dense breasts, I wonder if it should be something she should ask our gp about. They won't do the gene tests on her because they say it is too expensive, even though our aunt, mom and I have already been diagnosed. If you do hear more, please let me know. You are a good sister!
    Cat
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #3
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    Preventative Tamoxifen
    Moopy,

    I have heard about cancer free women taking Tamoxifen if they are BRCA 1 or 2 positive. Did your sister have genetic testing? I haven't heard of this for family risk factors if the test comes back negative. However, perhaps because of your sister's previous history of cancer, they are recommending it. I am concerned about your sister taking HRT, though. I've read that this is a known risk factor for breast cancer. Any discussion with the doctor about this?
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #4
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    cats_toy said:

    Moopy-glad you're feeling better!
    I have not heard anything like that, but since my sister is also like me with the dense breasts, I wonder if it should be something she should ask our gp about. They won't do the gene tests on her because they say it is too expensive, even though our aunt, mom and I have already been diagnosed. If you do hear more, please let me know. You are a good sister!
    Cat

    Genetic testing
    Cat,

    That's crazy. If you, your aunt, and you mom have all had breast cancer, there is a significant possibility of genetic mutation. That test needs to be done so that your sister can protect herself. Can she go to another provider?

    Mimi
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #5
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    mimivac said:

    Genetic testing
    Cat,

    That's crazy. If you, your aunt, and you mom have all had breast cancer, there is a significant possibility of genetic mutation. That test needs to be done so that your sister can protect herself. Can she go to another provider?

    Mimi

    crazy
    tell me about it, we have Blue Cross and she cannot afford to go outside of the plan. I was thinking of asking the City of Hope, because you would think (wouldn't everyone?) that she should be tested. Thanks for the concern.
    Cat
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #6
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    Info
    I found this info on WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/menopause/features/hrt-revisiting-the-hormone-decision

    also found, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hormone-therapy/WO00046
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #7
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    cats_toy said:

    Moopy-glad you're feeling better!
    I have not heard anything like that, but since my sister is also like me with the dense breasts, I wonder if it should be something she should ask our gp about. They won't do the gene tests on her because they say it is too expensive, even though our aunt, mom and I have already been diagnosed. If you do hear more, please let me know. You are a good sister!
    Cat

    Cat
    Thank you, Cat. I will report back with everything I find out.

    By the way, your tattoo is beautiful.

    And you are a good sister, too.
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #8
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    mimivac said:

    Preventative Tamoxifen
    Moopy,

    I have heard about cancer free women taking Tamoxifen if they are BRCA 1 or 2 positive. Did your sister have genetic testing? I haven't heard of this for family risk factors if the test comes back negative. However, perhaps because of your sister's previous history of cancer, they are recommending it. I am concerned about your sister taking HRT, though. I've read that this is a known risk factor for breast cancer. Any discussion with the doctor about this?

    Testing
    Hi, Mimi. Jackie's doc said the cost of testing would be over $3000. I already planned to ask my onc. for the test on my next visit, for my two sisters' and my niece's sake. Thank you for letting me know tamoxifen has been prescribed based on testing. I thought it was given only to prevent recurrence.

    Yeah, Jackie knows about HRT and cancer/stroke/heart attack risks. I started trying to persuade her to stop HRT as soon as I heard of the big study a few years ago. (She will tell you that I have nagged her like a big sister instead of a younger one.) Jackie fears stopping completely because she feels so awful without any hormones: she plunges into serious emotional upset, moodiness and depression when she completely stops HRT. She is on the lowest possible dose and takes every other day. Her doctors have wanted her to stop also. I'm confused with the gync. giving her a Tamoxifen prescription and continuing the HRT.
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #9
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    Marcia527 said:

    Info
    I found this info on WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/menopause/features/hrt-revisiting-the-hormone-decision

    also found, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hormone-therapy/WO00046

    Marcia
    Marcia, thank you. I will go to both sites and tell Jackie also.
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #10
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    Hi Moopy...
    I have not heard of a doctor prescribing tamoxifen because of risk factor. But that's not to say that they don't do it.
    I have three older sisters, (I'm the youngest in the family) and they all have large, dense breasts. But none of their doctors suggested tamoxifen ot even more frequent check-ups.

    My daughter (age 32 and also large breasted) had her first mammo shortly after I was diagnosed. We both had the same ob/gyn.
    She has since changed doctors and she asked if she should be checked more frequently or have another mammo at some point...because of me. Her new doctor told her no, that she would not order a mammo for her for another 10 years. I was really concerned about that actually.
    She (the doctor) told my daughter that if I would get tested for BRCA1, and was positive, then she would order mammo before that.

    I am the only one in my family, aside from a very distant cousin, to ever have breast cancer. Going back at least 3 generations.
    Because of that, I don't think I need nor would really qualify for BRCA testing, and having it covered by any insurance. Would I? Honestly, I am not sure that I would want to be tested anyway.
    I mean, because nobody else in my family has had bc, would the testing be a valid thing for me to look into?

    Sorry to have gotten off track from your original question...

    CR
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #11
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    I have one sister...
    I have, indeed, heard of Tamoxifen as possible BC preventative medication under certain circumstances. Though usually only if genetic involvement has been confirmed. Please note that I am certainly no expert in this area. I am the first, ever, for any kind of cancer, in my entire family, on both sides (blood-related relatives, that is). Therefore, and particularly without children of my own - I did not have any type of genetic testing.

    When I asked my onc about other family members because of my own diagnosis - he explained that only my sister is now at an increased risk. Less than 10% of breast cancer is due to genetic factors. Which leaves a whopping over 90% due to as yet to be determined reasons. The overwhelming cause is thought to be environmental. (Vague enough?!?) Which is why in cases like ours, Moopy - the "arrow" of risk goes across/horizontal (i.e., towards our siblings) vs. up & down/vertical (towards mothers, aunts, daughters, nieces, etc.). Of course, I informed her accordingly. She then discussed my situation with her own doctor. We also both have dense breasts. She is 5 years younger than me, at 46. (I'm 51 - diagnosed at 45). My sister now has a mammogram every 6 months, vs. annually. No Tamoxifen recommended.

    Although I'm no doctor, it would seem that your sister should most certainly be pulled off the HRT - whether she opts for Tamoxifen, or not. And because of your BC, right now isn't soon enough.

    Best of luck to you, Moopy, in your continued search for information on behalf of your sister. And now, whenever I think of you - I'll think of her, too. Hoping she'll be safe from the beast. She's already had one visit already. And please do keep us posted. I'm sure there are many here amongst us besides me with similar situations within our own families.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #12
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    Christmas Girl said:

    I have one sister...
    I have, indeed, heard of Tamoxifen as possible BC preventative medication under certain circumstances. Though usually only if genetic involvement has been confirmed. Please note that I am certainly no expert in this area. I am the first, ever, for any kind of cancer, in my entire family, on both sides (blood-related relatives, that is). Therefore, and particularly without children of my own - I did not have any type of genetic testing.

    When I asked my onc about other family members because of my own diagnosis - he explained that only my sister is now at an increased risk. Less than 10% of breast cancer is due to genetic factors. Which leaves a whopping over 90% due to as yet to be determined reasons. The overwhelming cause is thought to be environmental. (Vague enough?!?) Which is why in cases like ours, Moopy - the "arrow" of risk goes across/horizontal (i.e., towards our siblings) vs. up & down/vertical (towards mothers, aunts, daughters, nieces, etc.). Of course, I informed her accordingly. She then discussed my situation with her own doctor. We also both have dense breasts. She is 5 years younger than me, at 46. (I'm 51 - diagnosed at 45). My sister now has a mammogram every 6 months, vs. annually. No Tamoxifen recommended.

    Although I'm no doctor, it would seem that your sister should most certainly be pulled off the HRT - whether she opts for Tamoxifen, or not. And because of your BC, right now isn't soon enough.

    Best of luck to you, Moopy, in your continued search for information on behalf of your sister. And now, whenever I think of you - I'll think of her, too. Hoping she'll be safe from the beast. She's already had one visit already. And please do keep us posted. I'm sure there are many here amongst us besides me with similar situations within our own families.

    Kind regards, Susan

    one sister...
    Susan, aren't you the lucky one! you get the big C present! Well I'm sure you would say "better me than (fill in the blank)". We do worry about our family/friends more that ourselves. Take Care!
    Cat
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #13
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    Moopy23 said:

    Cat
    Thank you, Cat. I will report back with everything I find out.

    By the way, your tattoo is beautiful.

    And you are a good sister, too.

    aww.... thanks!
    thank you, I did change my pic to my Sammy Boy! I am his toy...
    Cat
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    #14
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    cats_toy said:

    one sister...
    Susan, aren't you the lucky one! you get the big C present! Well I'm sure you would say "better me than (fill in the blank)". We do worry about our family/friends more that ourselves. Take Care!
    Cat

    BRCA 1 & BRCA 2
    Since there is a history of breast cancer in my family aunts and cousins and my twin sister with atypical cells a year before I was diagnosed with breast cancer my surgeon ordered the genetic testing after meeting with a genetics counselor. Mine came out negative for both the BRCA1 & BRCA2.

    Thank god my insurance company paid for it all.

    Margo
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #15
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    cats_toy said:

    one sister...
    Susan, aren't you the lucky one! you get the big C present! Well I'm sure you would say "better me than (fill in the blank)". We do worry about our family/friends more that ourselves. Take Care!
    Cat

    Thanks, Cat!
    Yeah, well, I'm totally used to it, as I should be, I guess... Born on Christmas Day, I'm accustomed to crappy birthday presents - which is somewhat worse than no birthday presents at all. People either run out of money, or they simply forget. Whatever...

    You, too - take good care!

    Kind regards, Susan

    P.S.: Love your little Sammy! I figured he's a boy, because of his expression. :-)

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