You have not been diagnosed with bc - but ADH does put you at greater risk for being diagnosed with bc at some time in the future. Hence the reason for hormone therapy.
Tamoxifrn and aromatase inhibitors are 2 different classes of anti-estrogens and they both have side effects which are very different from one another. Both pre and post menopausal women can take Tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors are used for post menopausal women.
Tamoxifen belongs to a group of drugs known as SERM's which prevent the estrogen receptors on the surface of cancer cells from letting the estrogen into the cell so the cell can grow and multiply. With Tamoxifen, the body still manufactures estrogen. The side effects could be hot flashes, insominia, weight gain, and the rare more serious side effects of blood clots andthe possibility of endometrial cancer. Most women on Tamoxifen also have a vaginal ultrasound done to check for that.
Aromatase Inhibitors actually block the body from making estrogen, so there is no estrogen in the body. The AI's can also cause hot flashes, insominia and weight gain, vaginal dryness and their more serious side effects are, osteopenia (which can lead to osteoporosis) severe muscle aches and pains.
So they all have side effects and if you do decide to take one of these drugs - I would recommend you speak with your oncologist about the side effects of each drug, and then choose if you want to take an anti estrogen drug, and if so - which drug you want to take.
Please let us know what you decide to do.
Good luck,
Judy
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