What Are Possible Tamoxifen Alternatives?

Tamoxifen is a common cancer treatment with a reputation for being effective, but it also is known for having many negative side effects. Those who wish to avoid its harmful effects may look for tamoxifen alternatives. Doctors often recommend alternatives that include chemotherapy, radiation therapy or medications that work similarly to tamoxifen. Some patients prefer a more natural route, such as eating healthier and exercising regularly. Additional natural treatments may include progesterone supplements, soy or flaxseed, to name a few options that may help fight cancer.

The main point of tamoxifen is to block estrogen in the body to stop the growth of cancer cells, but this is not the only cancer treatment available. One example is fulvestrant, which also works to reduce estrogen, though its side effects often include nausea, discomfort and weakness in the body. Toremifene works in a similar way, but it can cause hot flashes, chest pain and abdominal discomfort. Another of the most common breast cancer treatments is chemotherapy, which involves taking drugs that kill both cancerous cells and normal cells in an attempt to stop the spread of cancer. Some doctors recommend radiation therapy, rather than cancer drugs, to shrink cancerous tumors.

Some people prefer natural tamoxifen alternatives to relying on medications and complex medical procedures. Such people may prefer to use regular exercise and healthy eating as ways to treat cancer. For example, some studies have shown that ingesting fewer calories can help keep estrogen to a minimum, so low-calorie foods such as fruits and vegetables may be considered tamoxifen alternatives. In many cases, eating organic foods that do not contain pesticides and other harmful chemicals can be considered one way to reduce the risk of cancer or keep it from spreading. Additionally, regular exercise has been found to keep the risk of cancer low, which may interest people looking for natural ways of treating this disease.

There also are some tamoxifen alternatives in pill form, because certain natural substances have been found to block estrogen levels about as well as tamoxifen. One example is progesterone, which often comes in the form of cream to be rubbed on the skin in an effort to reduce estrogen levels. Progesterone is naturally found in the body along with estrogen and, while it usually is best to have both of these hormones in healthy amounts, adding more of one may reduce levels of the other. Additional natural tamoxifen alternatives may include flaxseed, soy and turmeric, though studies have not been conclusive, as of 2011, about just how effective these treatments are.