Doctors in the house? Tamoxifen?

[Lemmonie]

So, I hear on the news today that Tamoxifen is to be offered as a preventative to women considered "high risk"

I am looking to find out exactly the GP's guidence on what "high risk" means?
Is it just those that test positive to the known genes?


Thanks x

[Tumbler]

I'm not a Dr, but my Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 55, her Mum also died of undiagnosed breast cancer, this is considered to raise my risk factor, if my Mum had been diagnosed under the age of 40, then that would put me into the high risk category, currently women who are considered high risk can be offered annual MRI scans from the age of 40 and may decide to have preventative surgery, including the removal of their breasts. The faulty genes I think you are referring to are BRCA1, BRCA2 and TP53 are among those at high risk, accounting for at least 4 per cent of all women. My Mum has not been tested for these, not sure why, but that has prompted me to ask the oncologist next visit.

My Mum was part of a Tamoxifen trial, it was very effective for a period of time, but she did suffer a transient stoke, so her medication was changed, nearly 20 years on, she is still fighting breast cancer, she was unable to have surgery when first diagnosed, she has also used Fulvestrant, but that is no long keeping the tumor to a size the oncologist is happy with, pending some results over the next few weeks, she will probably be offered, Chemo, Radio and Herceptin.

My advice would be if you have any concerns go and chat with your GP, mines been excellent.

Edited by Tumbler on Tuesday 15th January 11:06

[Lemmonie]

Thanks thats helpful.

I have had a couple of "scares" and am only 36. The female side of my family has a strong history with every female on my mother's side having died or had it except for my mum who incidentally took part in the Tamoxifen trials as a preventative about ten years ago.

After my last scare the oncologist suggested I am high risk and am due annual mamograms from age 40. Getting a docs appt is a ball ache at the best of times so was just wondering if i would be likely to get it and how strict the "guidelines" for high risk are.

I might add that when my mothers sister got diagnosed she was tested for the two known genes which came back negative. Although they did stress that just because we didnt test positive for those genes doesnt mean we dont all have a genetic disposition to it.