Treatment after breast cancer: tamoxifen and exemestane
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women both worldwide and in Spain, although mortality from this cancer has greatly decreased in recent decades, thanks to earlier diagnosis.
Dr. Elisa Llurba tells us about the treatment after breast cancer.
What are the treatments after breast cancer?
There are two drugs available in these cases:
- He TAMOXIFEN. Hormone therapy blocks estrogen receptors in the body and is prescribed for women who have had hormone-dependent breast cancer after surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy. It is primarily indicated for women who have not yet reached menopause for at least five years.
- HE EXEMESTANO. Treatment to prevent recurrence of hormone-dependent breast cancer after menopause and is usually administered after the initial intake of tamoxifen.
How does it work? It's an aromatase inhibitor, an enzyme that metabolizes estrogens primarily from adipose tissue, the first organ to produce estrogen after menopause. Therefore, the end result is to reduce circulating estrogens to prevent the growth of breast cancer cells.
The side effects of both drugs are mainly due to the decrease in the amount of circulating estrogens and are similar to those experienced during menopause: hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, joint and muscle pain, fatigue, digestive discomfort, difficulty sleeping and mood changes, thinning hair, vaginal dryness, painful sexual intercourse, urinary discomfort, urinary incontinence, and dry skin and mucous membranes.
To counteract these side effects We recommend prioritizing a calmer life by avoiding stressful situations, improving your diet by reducing inflammatory foods and increasing prebiotics to support your gut, avoiding sugar and saturated products, and exercising (walking, Pilates, swimming, yoga, strength training). Some dietary supplements may help, such as vitamin D, magnesium glycinate, ashwagandha, hops for hot flashes, or omega-3 fatty acids. Remember that vaginal estrogen is not contraindicated if you experience discomfort from vaginal dryness.
