Dr. Jacqueline Jeruss is an Associate Professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology, Section of General Surgery in the Department of Surgery at the University of Michigan. Dr. Jeruss also holds appointments in the Departments of Pathology and Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Jeruss received her undergraduate degree in neuroscience and history from Brandeis University and her medical degree from the University of Vermont. Tamoxifen is an estrogen receptor that's used to treat and prevent certain types of breast cancer.
If you've been prescribed Tamoxifen, you have to take it for five years in order to help prevent the cancer from spreading.
Like any medicine, Tamoxifen comes with a list of side effects, including anxiety, blurred vision, chest pain, cataracts, chills, cough, fever, pain or swelling in your legs, shortness of breath, menstrual changes, weight gain or loss, and many more.
Since it is an estrogen receptor, many women who currently have or previously had breast cancer are worried about their fertility.
In fact, according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 30 percent of the 515 patients interviewed refused to take tamoxifen or stopped taking it because of fertility concerns.
Can Tamoxifen cause infertility?
Jacqueline Jeruss, MD, PhD, joins Dr. Leigh to discuss the study on Tamoxifen, and whether or not it can mess with your fertility.
Breast Cancer Drug Tamoxifen: Can It Cause Infertility?
Guest
: Jacqueline Jeruss, MD, PhD
From the Show: The Dr. Leigh Vinocur Show
Summary: Is there a way to preserve fertility while on this drug?
Air Date: 10/9/15
Duration: 10
Host: Leigh Vinocur, MD
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