Tamoxifen's Side Effects Scare Away Some

Concerns about side effects discourage many women at high risk for breast cancer from taking tamoxifen, says a study in the Dec. 14 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Use of tamoxifen has been shown to reduce the risk of invasive and noninvasive breast cancer by nearly 50 percent, and it is the only breast cancer prevention drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. But there are a number of side effects and risks associated with the drug, including an increased risk of blood clots, cataracts and endometrial cancer. Tamoxifen can also increase menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats.