Improving the chances of breast cancer survival
"Eli Lilly is now the sole manufacturer of rBGH — the artificial growth hormone given to dairy cows that increases people’s risk of cancer. Eli Lilly also manufactures breast cancer treatment medications and a pill that “reduces the risk” of breast cancer. Eli Lilly is milking cancer."
Breast Cancer Action
The important message below comes from my friend Barbara Brenner, Executive Director of Breast Cancer Action. If you are considering a contribution to fight cancer, I believe BCA is the organization best equipped to spend your money wisely. BCA accepts no donations from corporations that make a profit from cancer treatment. To my knowledge, no other cancer charity can make that claim. www.bcaction.org | www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org
Barb Jarmoska
Dear Friends,
For the 20 years Breast Cancer Action has been in existence, our goal has been to update and help you understand what's happening in treatment. We now have news on Tamoxifen that you'll want to share with your doctor and/or your loved ones with breast cancer.
Some years ago, I attended a talk about women who'd had breast cancer and were experiencing hot flashes. These women can't take hormone therapy. To reduce their hot flashes, the idea was to use an antidepressant - specifically a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Hot flashes are one reason a woman with breast cancer might be on an SSRI. Another is that a breast cancer diagnosis can be downright depressing!
There are lots of SSRIs. Paxil (generic name paroxetine) is one. However, this drug an irreversible inhibitor of the metabolic enzyme CYP2D6 that can interfere with tamoxifen's effectiveness.
A recent study by the British Medical Journal reveals that women taking a combination of tamoxifen and Paxil are more likely to die than other women on other anti-depressants (Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Effexor and Luvox).
The new study focused on women aged 66 and older, but the biological mechanism of CYP2D6 is likely to be the same in younger women.
Be informed, and above all be healthy,
Barbara Brenner
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