hi / i m a breast cancer patient/ from Iran/ it happened in 2005/ i mean the diagnose / mastectomy which is followed by 8 session chemotherapy/ since Jan2006/ i m taking Tamoxifen/under regular check up and control of my physician/ now it is about 10 months that i havent had any check up / since i m living overseas/in Malyasia/ to do my phd/ my main concern is / an extra fat / appeared in my abdomen/tummy/ waist/ i go walking regularly 1 hours everyday/ actually imy main problem is that / i m always worried about the return of cancer/ i was wondering if this extra fat is beacuse of medication/ use of Tamoxifen / or it may have other reasons/furthermore the amount of my daily meal is the same/tanx so much for ur concern/ with recovery for all patients/
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Q: Hi/ i m an Iranian lady who suffer from breath cancer
Hi Manizheh: Unfortunately, weight gain is a common side effect of tamoxifen. And this gain is most likely to appear right around your middle, in your belly area. Did you go into menopause due to the chemo? If you did, and you're no longer having periods, then that's another reason you've acquired some belly fat. At any rate, there's not much you can do besides what you're doing: watch what you eat, and exercise. Don't give up; once you stop the tamoxifen, the weight should be easier to get off.
As for your fear - it's hard to shake. Please read our post on fear; perhaps it'll help you deal with it. Good luck with your Ph.D! PJH
Hi Manizheh and welcome to the website. Being so far from home must be lonely for you. Sometimes it's difficult to talk to others about our worries, especially when we have had breast cancer. Here, however, you will find many women who have had the same experience and who share your fears.
PJ is quite right about weight gain being a side effect for many women who take Tamoxifen. I think if you are worried you should try to have a check-up. Ask some people at the university about cancer doctors in Malaysia and make an appointment. The doctor should be able to help you be less worried.
Manizheh, you must be a very brave lady to have gone through breast cancer treatment and to be studying so far from home. You must use your courage to deal with your fears and worries. I make a picture in my mind of a big box and I mentally put my worries into it and put it away. I find it helps to do that as it stops me thinking about frightening things.
All of us who have had breast cancer are sisters in a very special way. There is PJ in America, me in Australia and you, an Iranian lady in Malaysia among all the others. We will think of you and pray that you find the courage to put away your fears.
Good luck with your studies, Sister. Sue
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