As part of theinternational breast cancer study, the team of researcher Samuel Smith, University of Leeds (UK) found that many women have stopped a breast cancer drug tamoxifen because they mistakenly believed it was causing effects. unpleasant side effects including hot flashes, nausea and low libido. Latest news presented at the Breast Cancer Congress in San Antonio (USA): treatment would not be at the root of these side effects !
Tamoxifen: side effects similar to a placebo
Scientists observed that women given a placebo (dummy drug) instead of tamoxifen had similar levels of nausea and vomiting and were just as likely to stop. This suggests that some symptoms, linked to other causes, have been mistaken for the side effects of tamoxifen.
“Our results have implications for how physicians talk to patients about the benefits and side effects of preventive therapies such as tamoxifen, said Dr. Samuel Smith. It’s important to manage expectations and provide accurate information about specific side effects and how these differ from symptoms that women may experience anyway. These patients need more support from their practitioner.
Tamoxifen is said to reduce the risk of breast cancer by more than 30%
Experts estimate that half a million healthy women could benefit from the drug. Tamoxifen may reduce the risk of breast cancerof more than 30% with preventive effects that would last for more than 20 years.
Note: Tamoxifen is one of the many drugs recommended for people at high risk of developing breast cancer.
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