Nexus - 0504 - New Times Magazine-pages

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Blood Clots Tamoxifen irritates the walls of the veins, and inflammation (a natural healing response to irritation) follows. The constant irrita- tion and inflammation weakens the veins, causing bleeding, clot- ting, thrombophlebitis and, in the worst cases, obstruction of the blood vessels serving the lungs, which can be deadly and can occur with little warning. The incidence of thrombophlebitis in women using oral contraceptives is generally regarded as signifi- cant (1 in 2,000); however, with tamoxifen it's 30 times greater.’ Several studies, including one reported to the FDA's Oncological Drugs Advisory Committee by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project in 1991, showed that the risk of developing life-threatening blood clots increases about seven times in women taking tamoxifen." Despite tamoxifen's proven ability to reduce breast cancer Blood Clots recurrence in postmenopausal women, major studies have shown Tamoxifen irritates the walls of the veins, and inflammation (a that tamoxifen reduces death from breast cancer only marginally.’ _ natural healing response to irritation) follows. The constant irrita- The majority of women who take tamoxifen live no longer than _ tion and inflammation weakens the veins, causing bleeding, clot- women who do not take it.'' Furthermore, some breast cancers ting, thrombophlebitis and, in the worst cases, obstruction of the learn how to use tamoxifen to stimulate their growth. blood vessels serving the lungs, which can be deadly and can The benefits of tamoxifen are limited. Virtually all women who occur with little warning. The incidence of thrombophlebitis in take it become resistant within five years.'? A recent randomised, women using oral contraceptives is generally regarded as signifi- controlled study showed that tamoxifen reached its maximum pro- cant (1 in 2,000); however, with tamoxifen it's 30 times greater.’ tective effect on breast tissue with women who took it for five Several studies, including one reported to the FDA's years. Taking it for five more years didn't offer any more protec- Oncological Drugs Advisory Committee by the National Surgical tion, and may actually have caused more cancers. In other words, Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project in 1991, showed that the ris after a while the breast cells become resistant to tamoxifen and of developing life-threatening blood clots increases about seven actually start to be fed by it.'? times in women taking tamoxifen." This result surprised the researchers. According to Dr Susan Love, author of Dr Susan Love's Hormone Book: "This is a dra- Psychological Symptoms matic example of why you need good, long-term studies. If we Depression has been reported as a potential side-effect of had based all of our recommendations on the five-year data with- tamoxifen in 30 per cent of women. Cases have been reported of out doing further studies, we would have had women taking an inability to concentrate. tamoxifen forever. So convinced were we It is important that patients observe their that tamoxifen was a wonder drug that the moods and mental states. If it is suspected only reason researchers did the later study at that tamoxifen is causing depression or lac all was to prove it wrong. Luckily, we found . . . of concentration, it is suggested that a peri- out that we were wrong in time to prevent In California there Is od of tamoxifen avoidance be considered. doing further damage. We have learned, not a law called for the first time, that more isn't always bet- " ays " Other Symptoms ter.""* Proposition 65 Tamoxifen can trigger asthma attacks in i some sensitive patients. TAMOXIFEN'S DARK SIDE that requires the state Changes to the vocal cords resulting in While the initial findings of tamoxifen's to publish and maintain impairment of singing and speaking abilities role in breast cancer treatment seemed so i are occasionally caused by tamoxifen. promising, as with so many of the synthetic a list of all known hormone drugs, further research presented carcinogens. CARCINOGENENIC EFFECTS grave concerns for its widespread use. In fact, the MIMS Annual lists 25 It wasn't long before laboratory stud- ies showed that tamoxifen acted as a adverse reactions to tamoxifen; some of In May 1995, the state's carcinogen. It has been found that these can be fatal. A itt A tamoxifen binds tightly and irre- Carcinogen Identification versibly to DNA, the genetic blueprint Menopausal Symptoms Committee voted of a cell, causing a cancerous mutation Tamoxifen often induces menopausal Fi to take place. Even Australia's conser- symptoms in menstruating women. unanimously to add vative National Health and Medical About half of these women experience tamoxifen to its list. Research Council (NHMRC) warned hot flushes. Fluid retention and weight that no amount of tamoxifen is safe gain occur in about 25 per cent of when it comes to carcinogenic effects. women and can be controlled by reduc- In California there is a law called ing the dose. Vaginal discharge and "Proposition 65" that requires the state vaginal atrophy are additional symp- to publish and maintain a list of all toms. Some studies have also found known carcinogens. In May 1995, the that premenopausal users are at risk of developing accelerated state's Carcinogen Identification Committee voted unanimously to bone-mineral loss and osteoporosis. add tamoxifen to its list. Menstrual irregularities also occur in premenopausal women. Following suit, in 1996 the World Health Organization formally Amenorrhoea (absence of the menstrual cycle) often results and designated tamoxifen a human carcinogen, grouping it with 70 can be permanent. other chemicals—about one quarter of them pharmaceuticals— that have received this dubious distinction. a law called carcinogens. unanimously to add tamoxifen to its list. Eye Damage According to a 1978 study in Cancer Treatment Reports and another published in Cancer in 1992, about six per cent of women taking even low-dose tamoxifen suffer damage to the retina and corneal opacities and decreased visual acuity. Irreversible corneal and retinal changes can occur in those taking 20 mg of tamoxifen twice a day (twice the usual dose). These changes may have no immediate effect on visual acuity, but may predispose the eyes to later problems including cataracts. Liver Cancer and Liver Disease Tamoxifen is toxic to the liver, and there have been reports of acute hepatitis in patients treated with tamoxifen. Liver damage has occurred in every animal given tamoxifen. According to Gary Williams, medical director of the American Heart Foundation, tamoxifen has been shown in animal studies to be a "rip-roaring" liver carcinogen, inducing highly aggressive cancers in about 12 per cent of rats.'” JUNE - JULY 1998 NEXUS * 45 In California there is ‘a list of all known Committee voted |