Sensory perceptions of women receiving tamoxifen for breast cancer.

Tamoxifen has been used as adjuvant treatment in advanced and early-stage breast cancer for the past decade. Recently this synthetic antiestrogen drug assumed a new role of chemoprevention for women at risk of developing breast cancer. The commonly occurring side effects associated with tamoxifen administration contribute to the acceptance of this antineoplastic drug for palliation and cure. However, there are no data about the sensory effects of women receiving tamoxifen. The purpose of this study was to elicit subjects' descriptions of sensory experiences while receiving tamoxifen. These descriptions are essential for developing nursing interventions to help patients use self-care behaviors and cope with the side effects of tamoxifen. Sensory data were collected from 20 women who had been receiving tamoxifen for at least 1 month and were not receiving any other chemotherapy. Subjects provided descriptors about all senses. The senses for which subjects most frequently provided descriptors were touch, taste, and sight.