| Every few minutes a woman is diagnosed with | | | | assume they will end up using some sort of |
| breast cancer. The disease is the most common | | | | combination of surgery, chemotherapy and/or |
| cause of death in women between the ages of 40 | | | | radiation. But there are lesser-known treatment |
| and 55, and there are more than 200,000 new cases | | | | options available, and the drug tamoxifen is one such |
| of breast cancer expected in the U.S. alone this year | | | | alternative. |
| (see | | | | Tamoxifen is a drug used to treat |
| With staggering statistics such as this, no wonder | | | | hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer in women |
| that at the first sign of breast cancer—the | | | | of all ages and at all stages. It’s normally taken |
| typical symptom is usually a lump or other noticeable | | | | once daily for up to five years. It’s also used |
| abnormality in the breast—many women | | | | as a preventative measure in women who have no |
| automatically panic, assuming the worst. | | | | history of breast cancer but who are at a higher risk |
| But only about 8 of 10 lumps turn out to be | | | | for contracting the disease. These include older |
| cancerous. And even for the women who do end up | | | | women and women with a family history of breast |
| diagnosed with the disease, there are still many | | | | cancer. |
| options to consider for treatment. | | | | Alternative therapies to treating breast cancer are |
| If the breast cancer tumor is sensitive to hormones | | | | becoming popular. They are sometimes used instead |
| such as estrogen and/or progestin, hormone therapy | | | | of or mixed with conventional methods. There has |
| is used. The drugs come in two different forms, pill | | | | not been sufficient clinical research to support their |
| or injection. Hormone therapy starves the cancer and | | | | safety and effectiveness. These alternatives include |
| hinders its growth. Tomoxifen is one such drug under | | | | flaxseed and black cohosh, acupuncture, meditation |
| this category, prescribed for women with | | | | and/or therapeutic touch, and other special restrictive |
| hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Tomoxifen | | | | diets. |
| is a hormonal drug (usually the oneof choice for most | | | | It is vital for women to consider alternative therapies |
| pre-menopausal women). It has been shown to be | | | | for breast cancer. You should research these options |
| less effective in some post-menopausal women | | | | as much as possible and consult your health-care |
| versus other hormonal therapies. | | | | provider before trying any of the above-mentioned |
| Most first-time breast cancer patients generally | | | | treatments for your breast cancer. |