In some cases, chemotherapy can damage bone marrow resulting in anemia even long after treatment.. In general, cancer survivors can donate blood in the United States if: People with cancer who are not eligible to donate blood in the United States include: Those who have had blood-related cancers (such as leukemia and lymphoma as an adult) may never donate blood. 2013;3(7):a015677. 3 yrs from breast cancer &on tamoxifen. If you need surgery or medical tests or if you will be on bed rest, you may need to stop using this medicine for a short time. 1 thank. Muscle and bone changes. should i be concerned or is that not high? Donation frequency: Every 112 days, up to 3 times/year* You must be in good health and feeling well** Male donors + must be at least 17 years old in most states, at least 5'1" tall and weigh at least 130 lbs; Female donors + must be at least 19 years old, at least 5'5" tall and weigh at least 150 lbs; See additional requirements for student donors >> You might have some blood tests during treatment to check your hormone levels. It's important to note that eligibility to donate blood can vary depending upon the cancer center or blood donation organization. Talk with donor center staff about their specific requirements. ; Anticoagulants or “blood thinners” are used to treat or prevent blood clots in the legs, lungs, or other parts of the body, and to prevent strokes. 2 doctors agree. Cancers linked to treatment with tamoxifen. Can Cancer Patients and Survivors Donate Blood? If blood cell counts get very low, this can lead to bleeding problems, infections, or anemia. You can only donate … i have been on tamoxifen for almost five years. Top answers from doctors based on your search: Connect by text or video with a U.S. board-certified doctor now — wait time is less than 1 minute! About 29 … A 34-year-old member asked: how long after a person stops taking tamoxifen can they donate blood? 2016;62(9):730–731. As with the potential for heart problems, even mild anemia due to donation could accentuate fatigue and hinder your ability to move on in your new "normal" after cancer.. am a 51 year old female. And if you need to cancel your appointment please give us 3 days' notice so that we can … I will give you a run down of what Tamoxifen is – it is a hormonal therapy that blocks the effects of oestrogen in the breast tissue. If you are a survivor of a solid tumor (but not a blood-related cancer like leukemia or lymphoma) you may be able to donate blood to help others. By using Verywell Health, you accept our. Imaging may also help clarify/ Dr. Peter Lydon answered. ; Tamoxifen is also sometimes used to: U/s? what are the long term side effects of a 55 yo man using tamoxifen? Guidelines for the Blood Transfusion Services in the UK. Yet tamoxifen can be a key part of your continuing care and staying on it helps prevent a breast cancer recurrence. Anemia is a condition that, if caused by low iron body reserves, can be corrected with a change in diet. The American Red Cross does not list methotrexate on its list of problematic medications. If you and your doctor are considering tamoxifen as part of your treatment plan, tell your doctor if you smoke or have a history of blood clots or heart attack. can you donate blood taking tamoxifen. There are many cancer support groups and cancer communities, where you can bring your experience and all you have learned to the table to help others who are facing the same challenges. American Cancer Society. For those cancer survivors who are unable to donate blood, there are many other ways to help people with cancer. Joint United Kingdom (UK) Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee. Also, certain medications can block the activity of the CYP2D6 enzyme, including antidepressants known as SSRIs and SNRIs, as well as Benadryl (chemical name: diphenhydramine) and Tagamet (chemical name: cimetidine). To treat breast cancer, most people take tamoxifen for 5 years. It is used to reduce the risk of developing a more serious type of breast cancer in women who have had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS; a type of breast cancer that does not spread outside of the milk duct where it forms) and who have been treate… In some situations you might take tamoxifen for 10 years. Find out more about low iron and foods high in iron here. Anti-platelet agents affect platelet function, so people taking these drugs should not donate platelets for the indicated time; however, you may still be able to donate whole blood. Plasma donors may donate as often as every 28 days. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. But the fact that, in rare instances, cancer has been transmitted via organ transplants, has resulted in guidelines restricting adults who have had blood-related cancers—such as leukemias and lymphomas—from donating blood.. Because of its impact on blood clotting, you should ask the Red Cross directly, even though I did not find it on its deferral list of medications, sin ... how long after a person stops taking tamoxifen can they donate blood? Low blood cell counts have happened with this medicine (tamoxifen tablets). should i talk with my doctor about tamoxifen if my blood work comes out high in estrogen next week and would tamoxifen reduce some very minor gyno? Tamoxifen is used to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body in men and women. will i be able to donate blood while taking lysteda? Tamoxifen causes blood clots . Cancer survivors may sometimes be able to donate blood if they are more than a year out from therapy. Ⓒ 2021 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved, Lynne Eldrige, MD, is a lung cancer physician, patient advocate, and award-winning author of "Avoiding Cancer One Day at a Time. Tamoxifen is used in specific conditions such as Breast Cancer prevent or adjuvant treatment of est ... Tamoxifen while use in ER+ patients is an excellent anti-estrogen blocking the receptors for allowing cell proliferation acts elsewhere as an estrogen ... Have you had any imaging? It's important to note that eligibility to donate blood can vary depending upon the cancer center or blood donation organization. If you have asked this question as a cancer survivor, those who are living with cancer today are grateful. Even long after cancer treatment is done, cancer fatigue is real, and many cancer survivors note that they continue to feel fatigue for several years after they have completed treatment. If you are breast-feeding. Can you donate blood while taking antibiotics, Can you drink coffee before donating blood, What happens when you stop taking tamoxifen, Can i donate blood if i am taking thyroid medication, Can you donate blood with a pituitary tumor, How many times a year can you donate blood. In fact I was having the same problem when I was pregnant with my daughter and the doctor then told me I was low on potassium, after an IV infusion I was fine. should i be concerned of blood clot? My Onc. Many friends of cancer survivors feel privileged to have a way to help, and this can be one way to help not only your friend but others in need. They likely have a website. Read our, Medically reviewed by Jennifer Schwartz, MD, Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD, Verywell Health uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Tamoxifen can be taken with or without food. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs), like arimidex, aromasin and femara, are also used to help fight cancer cell regrowth. my bp read 144/100 when i went to donate blood, am not taking any medication. If you are taking any of these drugs: Anastrozole, letrozole, or warfarin. Survivors of solid tumor cancers are eligible to donate blood and platelets beginning one year after they stop taking medication for their cancer; however, survivors of blood cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma, and other blood disorders, are permanently deferred due to the nature of their diseases. Will You Know if Your Donation Makes a Difference? Could try holding tamoxifen and seeing if lft's clear. The risk of transmitting cancer by a blood transfusion is primarily a theoretical risk; there haven't been any reports of people getting cancer from a blood transfusion. It can be difficult to think about taking a medicine every day for five or 10 years, especially if you have side effects. By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies. Tests . More than 22 percent said tamoxifen was a “mystery” to them. Should You Donate Your Own Blood Before Elective Surgery? Until we have a cure for all cancers, there will be people who need to see the face of those who have survived to the point they are asking whether they can donate blood. Yet there are situations, such as with leukemias and lymphomas and more, where donating at any time after treatment isn't considered safe for those who would receive the blood.. gave me the thumbs up for this. Anemia in people with cancer. shd i be getting some tests? March 2013. Take the rest of the ... Tell your doctor if you are taking these or any other drugs as you may need extra blood tests or your doses may need to be changed. Check out ... Tamoxifen is used inbreast cancer in women and rarely in men with male breast cancer.It is well tolerated in males with breast cancer.Following side e ... Clomid (clomiphene) and tamoxifen are very similar drugs. Send thanks to the doctor. Both of these are valid questions. For people who have had cancer, the donation center may require a letter from your oncologist indicating that it is safe for you to donate blood. He is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and attending physician in the Department of Hematology Oncology at the New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. previous blood clot from tamoxifen, is 100mg clomid (clomiphene) daily for 7 days and 50mg daily for following 21 likely to be harmful? Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. Taking tamoxifen lowers the chance of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer coming back. Eating many types of red meat, fortified cereal and leafy green vegetables may help. This often settles down … 0. Not only do eligibility requirements vary among different organizations in the United States, but vary between countries. A few examples follow. If you are taking any of these drugs: Carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifabutin, rifampin, or St. John’s wort. For privacy reasons, donors will not be able to hear about patients who benefit from their donation. We've Got the Answer, Understanding If You Can Get an Infection From a Blood Transfusion, Using an Autologous Blood Donation for Your Own Surgery. American Red Cross. The most serious health risks of tamoxifen, such as endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus) and blood clots in the lungs, are rare . Blood banks have local variability about donations. Many people with cancer can see clearly the importance of donating blood, but this may not always be a healthy option. 6  0 comment. For people who have had cancer, the donation center may require a letter from your oncologist indicating that it is safe for you to donate blood. Chapman JR, Webster AC, Wong G. Cancer in the transplant recipient. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. has hepatitis scre ... Have their own set of standards that may differ from one place to the other, refusing to accept blood donation from you while on epilizine (valproate ... might just be stress from the procedure...lots of pts get scared when giving blood...incl me! These medications affect the blood’s ability to … If you take an anti-coagulant (medicine that reduces the ability of the blood to clot), such as warfarin, then your doctor may want to monitor you more regularly or may want to consider changing your anti-coagulant medication while you are taking tamoxifen. Check with your ... give you pleasure, speak to your doctor. Ct abdomen? Updated February 13, 2017. Donating blood also requires a healthy heart, and even the mild anemia created by donating blood could possibly harm those who have cardiac damage related to chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and/or radiation therapy. There may also be medical reasons other than cancer that would make donating blood unhealthy for your particular situation. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Doru Paul, MD, is triple board-certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. How To Beat Weight Gain On Tamoxifen (A Success Story!) If you have blood clots or have had blood clots in the past. You cannot donate blood for other people if: You are being treated for cancer Your cancer is spreading or has come back You have had leukemia or lymphoma as an adult (including Hodgkin’s Disease) While using tamoxifen, you may need frequent blood tests. Side effects When you have tamoxifen. And, If I do, is there anything I can do to stop it—and actually lose weight? In Florida you can donate whole blood every 56 days, at minimum. Perhaps you wish to participate in a relay for life, host a fundraiser for a friend with cancer, or become involved as an advocate for one of the cancer organizations supporting your particular type of cancer. If pressure is constantly that high, would see your doc ... You wont be able to donate platlets until drug stopped for several days but shouldnt affect whole blood donations. To learn more, please visit our. can i donate blood while taking daypro (oxaprozin)? Many of these organizations are looking for survivors who are available to speak to people who are newly diagnosed with the same disease via matching services. Blood Donation Restrictions for Hepatitis A, B, and C, The 7 Best Brain Tumor Support Groups of 2021, Learn How Cancer Remission Does Not Necessarily Mean You Are Cured, Coping With Hodgkin Disease, From Diagnosis to Survivorship, host a fundraiser for a friend with cancer, Guidelines for the Blood Transfusion Services in the UK, Being at least 17 years of age (or age 16 with permission from a parent), Being in general good health and feeling well, You had a solid tumor and it has been at least 12 months since the completion of cancer treatment, and you currently are cancer-free (have. If you miss a dose of tamoxifen, take it as soon as you can. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are taking tamoxifen. If you have a medical condition, or a question about whether you can give blood, you should check the health & eligibility and travel section before you book an appointment. If you still feel saddened about the need for blood, consider asking friends or co-workers to donate when you can't. I have been on Tamoxifen for a little over a month and every day that I take it has been more upsetting to me. (no blood)....I really am questioning whether this is worth all the risks. That said, the Red Cross states that every donation saves three lives. And in Sweden, the county council will text you when your blood is used. 39 years experience General Surgery. Since eligibility differs by organization as well as location, it may take a little legwork to do so. It is used to treat early breast cancer in women who have already been treated with surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. First Mammogram Guidelines Released for Breast Cancer Survivors 75 and Over, Red Cross: Blood and Plasma Donations Crucial to COVID-19 Fight, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Fitness Challenge Goes Virtual, Red Cross Seeking Black Blood Donors for Critical Shortages, Wondering If Cancer Patients Can Donate Blood? i have no obvious symptoms from taking it. U cannot continue taking it cuz u can another. my ankle is very sore and a bit swollen. It was developed more then 30 years ago and is widely used to treat breast cancer both after the initial surgery and if the cancer comes back. doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a015677. Some of the organizations that limit blood donation from cancer survivors for an extended period of time have exactly this in mind. I wonder if you could have blood work done to see if you are low in anything. Blood donation and anemia. Can Fam Physician. If you had a very early cancer in which surgery is curative (for example, Those who have a cancer that is progressing, Those who have had blood-related cancers as an adult, such as, Those who have had treatment with some particular chemotherapy medications, or certain treatments for cancer such as an organ transplant or a splenectomy. Due to the risk of blood … This medicine may affect certain lab tests. The CYP2D6genetic test is used to predict how you will respond to a large number of different medications. ; to treat [secondary breast cancer] to reduce risk of breast cancer developing in women at high risk because of their family history. Although I do not have any side effects except for some mild hot flashes in the middle of the night and discharge that seems like alot to me. Tamoxifen does, however, increase the risk for uterine … If you have symptoms, talk with your health care provider about ways to treat them. You will be checked regularly by your health care professional while you are taking tamoxifen, to monitor side effects and check your response to therapy. 1 week: 1 week should be enough time. I also take injections for years because I have clot in liver n factor 5 leiden which is clotting factor. Hopefully you are under the care of a physician and a breat cancer survivor. Updated April 2019. You may want to ask your doctor about being tested for this genetic abnormality if you are considering taking tamoxifen. Even if the answer is no, keep in mind that there are almost limitless ways that you can "give back" in your community. Before discussing the guidelines for blood donation after cancer, it's important to discuss the reasons why donating may not be allowed or advisable. You take it daily at the same time every day. So all the known side effects are described for women, not men. Best to check with your local blood bank on this specific question. 1. Tamoxifen has rarely caused very serious (possibly fatal) strokes, blood clots in the lungs/legs, and cancer of the uterus. Tamoxifen is a hormonal therapy drug used: to reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back and to prevent a new cancer developing in the other breast – you take it for a number of years. sanbs would not let me donate blood when i went. Periodic blood work to monitor your complete blood count (CBC) as well as the function of other organs (such as your kidneys and liver) may also be ordered by your doctor. You might develop pains in your joints. Some of the more serious side effects of Tamoxifen include blood clots, stroke, endometrial cancer and memory loss. And when it comes to weight loss, these two probably rank near the top: Will I gain weight on tamoxifen? If you are taking Arixtra, Coumadin, or heparin, you cannot donate since they will cause blood to clot abnormally. Taking Trexall (methotrexate), an antimetabolite used in the treatment of rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, does not disqualify you from donating blood. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take this medicine (tamoxifen tablets). When Blood Donation Is OK . American Society of Clinical Oncology. If you have several risk factors your doctor may want you take an anticoagulant medicine such as warfarin, to help prevent blood clots while you're taking tamoxifen. You are childhood leukemia or lymphoma survivor and it has been at least 10 years since being deemed cancer-free. If you are taking tamoxifen, you have A LOT of questions. no history of blood clots, on lovaza 4g/day. can i donate blood while taking epilizine? After being in "receiving" mode for so long, many people want to "give back" even while still coping with these late effects of treatment. I do take a mineral suppliment in addition to extra potassium. Platelet donors may donate as frequently as every eight days, and up to 24 times in a 12-month period. alt 101. ast 58. Sign up and get your guide! When can people who have had cancer donate blood, when can they not, and what are the reasons behind this? If you are not under a doctors care, you should not be taking tamoxifen. The basic requirements for blood donation state that it is okay for an individual to donate whole blood every 56 days if the following guidelines are met: Further requirements include restrictions on some medications, the absence of HIV/AIDS, and a normal hemoglobin level among others. just had my 4th blood test for elevated ast & alt since 3/13. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Although menopausal symptoms may become less frequent and less intense over time, they can still be hard to manage. Armstrong KL. If there is certainty that tamoxifen caused you to have a blood clot then i would be concern ... Not sure why your estrogen level is being checked. ... Tamoxifen is fda-approved for use in breast cancer, most commonly in women. To prevent breast cancer, you take tamoxifen for 5 years. Having received the benefits of medical care, many cancer patients and survivors wish to give back in some way. ", Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Anemia. Almost 57 percent believed tamoxifen would give them unpleasant side effects. Eligibility criteria: Alphabetical. It also lowers the risk of a second breast cancer. It's important to note that individual blood donation organizations, as well as different countries, have different requirements, and it can take a little research to know if you are eligible. An example of possible requirements is the Red Cross eligibility requirements which also goes into detail on eligibility criteria by topic..