In the News

"Tamoxifen linked to risk of aggressive cancer" (Toronto Star, Living Section, August 26, 2009)

Well isn't that reassuring! There I was drinking my morning coffee, reading the newspaper and I saw this article.

I got nervous and couldn't believe what was in the article where it states: "A new study suggests long-term use of tamoxifen is linked to increased risk of developing an aggressive type of cancer". If you read the article the risk happens if you take Tamoxifen for five years or more, "reduced the more common type of breast cancer by 60 per cent, it also increased the risk of a more aggressive subtype of disease by more than 400 per cent". Yikes! My blood pressure certainly went up a couple of notches. What the heck?

But wait, there's a sub-headline that said: "Experts say benefits outweigh risks, however" Okay, that sounds better.

It also said use of Tamoxifen also comes with the risk of stroke. Well that's contrary to what Dr. K told me it will "lower the risk" of stroke or heart attack. Who's telling the truth now? I'm confused. I can imagine what Dr. K will say when I mention this article to him, not to believe it. :-/

On second thought this article might not affect me because Dr. K said he will change my medication after a couple of years of Tamoxifen for a newer type of medicine.

This is one of the reasons why I do not like reading newspapers because every time I read a news like this, it rattles my nerves and my worry wort persona comes out.