How is tamoxifen used for breast cancer treatment?
As a breast cancer therapy, tamoxifen works against the effects of estrogen, which has been shown to promote the growth of breast cancer cells. It is often called an “anti-estrogen.” • As a treatment for breast cancer, the drug slows or stops the growth of cancer cells that are already present in the body. • As adjuvant therapy, tamoxifen has been shown to help prevent the development and recurrence of breast cancer. Research has shown that when tamoxifen is used as adjuvant therapy for early stage breast cancer, it not only prevents the recurrence of the original cancer but also prevents the development of new cancers in the opposite breast, in many cases. Based on these findings, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) sponsored a large clinical trial to determine whether tamoxifen can prevent breast cancer in women who have an increased risk of developing the disease.
