Health

Four out of five women at high risk of breast cancer do not want to take tamoxifen to prevent the disease because of side-effects


FOUR out of five women at high risk of breast cancer do not want to take a pill which prevents the disease, a survey found.

They said they feared the long-term effects or unpleasant symptoms of tamoxifen, or did not want to take medication while feeling well.

 Four out of five women at high risk of breast cancer do not want to take a pill that prevents the disease

PA:Press Association

Four out of five women at high risk of breast cancer do not want to take a pill that prevents the disease

Experts estimate the 6p-a-day drug could benefit about 500,000 women in the UK.

Leeds University questioned more than 400 high-risk women. Only one in five felt strongly that they needed to take it.

Lead researcher Dr Samuel Smith said: “Some beliefs were very negative. This appears to be putting some women off tamoxifen, despite its proven ability to help prevent breast cancer.”

The study is published in the journal Clinical Breast Cancer.

 Experts estimate the 6p-a-day drug could benefit about 500,000 women in the UK

Alamy

Experts estimate the 6p-a-day drug could benefit about 500,000 women in the UK

Tamoxifen works by blocking hormone oestrogen. But potential side-effects include headaches, nausea and hot flushes.

A poll found only a quarter of GPs were aware of NHS guidelines saying higher-risk patients should be offered tamoxifen.

Loose Women demonstrates how to self-examine for early signs of breast cancer

 





READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.