Abnormal bleeding should be investigated promptly, and women taking tamoxifen should have an annual gynaecological check-up. Other benefits of tamoxifen Tamoxifen protects against the recurrence of breast cancer and reduces a woman's risk of heart disease. These benefits outweigh the slight risk of endometrial cancer. Tamoxifen also reduces the incidence of cancer in the other breast and of osteoporosis. There is good evidence that women with cancer in their lymph nodes who take tamoxifen live longer without the cancer than those who do not.
Tamoxifen also reduces the risk of another cancer forming in the other breast.
The main side effects of tamoxifen are cancer of the uterus, hot flushes and vaginal dryness and discharge. A fuller list of side effects is available in the consumer leaflet inside the tamoxifen box or from the manufacturer. Ovarian treatment The whole purpose of ovarian treatment is to reduce the amount of oestrogen, a hormone produced by the ovary, in the body. It is a useful treatment only in premenopausal women. This treatment does not permanently harm the function of the ovaries - the ovaries will start working again if the treatment is not renewed each month.