Tamoxifen is a lifesaving treatment for millions of breast cancer patients worldwide. Yet taking tamoxifen may be challenging for some patients due to issues of compliance, drug interactions, and surgical considerations. Educating patients with a one-page teaching sheet, "Precautions for Patients Taking Tamoxifen," may improve tamoxifen's effectiveness and prevent complications. Advanced practitioners are in a position to prescribe tamoxifen, review medication interactions, educate patients, impact patients' quality of life, improve patients' sense of control, and increase patients' partnerships with their oncology providers.
Aromatase inhibitors are the drug of choice for the treatment of estrogen receptor– or progesterone receptor–positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Aromatase is an enzyme that catalyzes the final and rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of estrogen. Inhibitors of this enzyme are an effective therapy for breast cancer. The benefits of these agents have been clearly shown through various clinical trials, yet adherence may be challenging for some patients due to issues of drug interactions, proper first dose education, and adverse effects. Education to prevent and treat adverse effects is of the utmost importance to promote adherence.
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