Men with breast cancer: Your experience wth hormonal therapy?
I had a mastectomy and 3 positive lymph nodes and 16 proton radiation treatments at MN Mayo. I am taking 20 mg of tamoxifen. What side effects are MALES experiencing from this drug??
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Thanks, Colleen. Thought I would get your interest!
Hi @dick61 and @deebee41, here are some research papers specifically about men and tamoxifen:
- Management of Male Breast Cancer: ASCO Guideline https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.19.03120
- Survival benefit of tamoxifen in male breast cancer: prospective cohort analysis https://www.nature.com/articles/s41416-020-0857-z
- Tamoxifen in men: a review of adverse events https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27152880/
There is earlier research as well that establish tamoxifen as safe and effective in men with breast cancer.
Deebee, I agree! There must be enough males with BC to conduct a study! I have been taking tamoxifen for 3 years. Have occasional bad headaches and use Esgic Plus which works! Exercise every day, wear support hose on long drives and fight late afternoon fatigue with a nap. Hope you stay well and vertical. I'll be 85 shortly. Hope the director of this group chat reads our plea.
I just started Tamox. after breast cancer surgery which was 2 weeks ago. I tried to get lowest dose but oncologist said only 20 mg.Surgery went well and healing is progressing well also. Waiting for oncotype results. Wish there was more data for men using Tamox. They are basically treating me as an 82 year old post-menopausal woman ! Cheers and best to all survivors !
Yes he wore one for a few months every day but now nothing unless flying. Exercise is very important.
Does/did he wear compression stockings when driving long distances, etc.?
Thanks for your quick response. I do look at my legs after showering. I am a patient at the MN Mayo Clinic and will soon return for a follow up appt. Will talk to my oncologist. Hope he continues to do well off meds.
He noticed a large lump in his leg. Check with your doctor on this as blood clots are one potential side effect of this medication.
I am 83 and have been taking tamoxifen for almost 2 years. Had mastectomy, 3 positive lymph nodes and 16 proton radiation treatments. I am ER+. I garden and walk briskly most days. What were the specific signs and symptoms that he noticed regarding the formation of a blood clot. I was told to wear compression socks when riding long distances and to stop driving after 2 hours and walk for a few minutes. I'd like to know what to look for. Thanks. Glad he is doing well.
My husband had breast cancer about 6 1/2 years ago. Had mastectomy, no chemo or radiation. Estrogen positive. No lymph nodes involved. He took tamoxifen for 6 years then noticed the beginning of a blood clot in one of his legs so he stopped. Doing really well 😊 joints ached the first year but he was working full time. He is a family practice doctor and mostly retired. Walks a lot, stretches a little cycling. One day at a time! Good luck to you!