Tamoxifen Has Limits Women who take tamoxifen after breast cancer surgery need only do so for five years to get maximum benefit from the drug, new research shows. A 15-year study of so-called "adjuvant" tamoxifen treatment, published in this week's issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, shows "no additional benefit from tamoxifen accrues from continuation of the drug beyond five years." In fact, researchers add, the study suggests women may be more likely to survive if they take tamoxifen only that long. Tamoxifen has been around for 25 years as a treatment for invasive breast cancer, and it's now used to prevent tumors in women at high risk of the disease. The drug belongs to a family of compounds called selective estrogen receptor modulators, which mute the effects of the hormone in breast cancer cells, but leave intact its desirable impact on bone formation. Although tamoxifen is highly effective at reducing the chances breast cancer will return, doctors are still trying to fine-tune the way they prescribe it. The drug is known to increase the risk of uterine cancer, so any long-term strategy has to balance benefits against risks. Journal of the National Cancer Institute (3/01) Thanks to HealthScout JNCI, May 2001 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.