Managing Psychological Symptoms in Cancer Treatment

This chapter explores pharmacological and psychosocial interventions for psychological symptoms related to cancer, focusing on the complexities of medication interactions, especially with tamoxifen. It discusses tamoxifen's dual role as an estrogen receptor blocker and the importance of metabolizing it to its active form, endoxifen, while evaluating the impact of certain antidepressants on its efficacy. The chapter further considers safer alternatives for managing symptoms like anxiety and hot flashes in breast cancer patients, emphasizing a holistic approach to treatment.