There are 2 kinds of drugs have been officially approved by the Food and Drug Administration to help protect women at high risk of breast cancer is tamoxifen (nolvadex) and raloxifene (Evista).
Studies that examine the effect of tamoxifen and raloxifene, showed that tamoxifen and raloxifene may reduce breast cancer incidence in a similar way. When tamoxifen and raloxifene increase a woman’s risk for blood clots, the observed increase is smaller with raloxifene. Raloxifene is also associated with a lower risk of womb cancer and hysterectomy for reasons that are not cancerous than tamoxifen. the conclusion that tamoxifen is more effective than raloxifene in preventing the development of early cancers that are not invasive.
Evista
Evista is currently used by about half a million women in the United States to prevent and treat osteoporosis, or thinning bones. Previous researchers have observed lower rates of breast cancer in women taking Evista than the general population.
Drug Evista (raloxifene) is a big beneficial for postmenopausal women at high risk of breast cancer.
Raloxifene is a second SERMs approved by the FDA. This drug has been approved for use in preventing osteoporosis in women after menopause. The data suggest that raloxifene, like tamoxifen, can reduce the Chances of developing breast cancer in women at high risk. Unlike tamoxifen, raloxifene does not stimulate cells from the womb, Evista apparently carrying fewer risks of side effects, with lower rates of cervical cancer and clotting problems seen in women who take tamoxifen Evista.
Note the data from the effects of raloxifene in women before menopause is not available, and it is a potential teratogen, which means that raloxifene can cause damage to the fetus development. Therefore limited the use of raloxifene in women after menopause and is not recommended to use the women pregnant at the age child.
Tamoxifen
Tamoxifen has actually long been used to help fight breast cancer. In 1998, the FDA approved tamoxifen for use by women who do not have breasts cancerbut are at high risk of disease.
Some cells have the characteristics of breast cancer are sensitive to estrogen, meaning they have what is called estrogen receptor or estrogen sensitive cells stimulation and require estrogen to grow and divide. But estrogen must bind themselves to receptors of the cancer cells to stimulate them. Estrogen binds to receptors is the same as putting a key into a Keyhole. Tamoxifen stop activities of estrogen on cancer cells with receptors Occupied, so preventing estrogen from binding themselves into the receptors. With help from the cells of estrogen-sensitive cancer cells, estrogen stop the growth and multiplication of these cells. Tamoxifen is given in larger doses or higher may also have the ability that can cause cell death of breast cancer cells that are not estrogen sensitive.
Tamoxifen has been used to treat both cancer-early-stage breast cancer and who have continued. This drug has proved beneficial in women who have had cancer in one breast in reducing the possibilities of developing breast cancer in both.
Tamoxifen behaves like an element of anti-estrogen on breast tissue, he worked as a weak of estrogen in the bones. And, tamoxifen has some benefit in preventing fracture / broken bones due to osteoporosis in women who have had the menopause.
Tamoxifen also reduces Cysts-Cysts (Cysts) and lump-lumps (lumps) in the breast-breast, especially in younger women. Cysts-Cysts and lumps, bumps make early detection with fewer Examinations and mammogram, breast mammogram easier. Use of these drugs only in Situations of extreme and not an approved use.
Tamoxifen showed a reduced risk of breast cancer, non-invasive (lobular carcinoma in situ and ductal carcinoma in situ), but there was no reduction in risk for the condition with Evista.
And prevention of breast cancer Mastectomy
What’s your choice?
Preventive or prophylactic mastectomy is the removal of one or both breasts are operating on women who have moderate to high risk of developing breast cancer. Studies have shown that this technique reduces the possibility of a woman developing breast cancer up to 90%. Because a small amount of breast tissue may be left in the chest wall, armpits, or even in the stomach after a mastectomy, it is impossible to completely prevent the development of breast cancer by prophylactic mastectomy. The women often choose to get reconstruction of the breast-surgery breast during breast surgery. It is very important for a woman considering preventive mastectomy has an honest discussion with her doctor regarding the risk of cancer, treatments options available, and the complications and implications of the potential of operation before making a decision.
Risks and side effects of tamoxifen
One of the risks of tamoxifen is the development of womb cancer. but the risk of developing womb cancer as a whole is very small, in the NSABP-P1 trial, more women who received tamoxifen developed cancer of the womb in women who received placebo.
In women aged above 50 years who received tamoxifen had a slightly increased risk to develop blood clots in the veins in the leg veins. These blood clots can sometimes come off and running, causing obstruction to the blood vessels in the Lungs, called pulmonary embolism. Symptoms of pulmonary embolism are shortness of breath, chest pain, and sometimes shock. Several studies have also reported an increased risk of stroke in patients who received tamoxifen.
Side effects other than tamoxifen, including weight gain, hot (hot flashes), came irregular menstruation, vaginal dryness, and a small increase of the risk of cataracts, cataracts. effects – this side effect depends on the age group being studied.
Source: Symptom Of Breast Cancer