Definition

A medication that blocks the effects of estrogen in the body, often used to treat certain types of breast cancer.

Example

The doctor prescribed tamoxifen to help treat her breast cancer.

Conversation

Have you heard about tamoxifen? I read it's used for breast cancer treatment.

Yeah, I think it's pretty well-known for that.

I wonder how effective it really is for those at risk.

It's important for some women to consider it as a preventive option.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Tamoxifen is a synthetic compound, and its name is derived from the chemical structure of the drug. The prefix 'tam-' is derived from 'tamo', which is a part of the chemical name, while '-xifen' is derived from 'phenyl' (a common chemical group) and 'x' indicating a specific configuration in the molecular structure. The word itself does not have traditional roots in Latin or Greek but is a modern chemical nomenclature.

Memory Tip

Think of 'tam-' as part of the chemical structure and '-xifen' as indicating a specific configuration in the drug's molecular makeup. This helps you remember that tamoxifen is a synthetic compound used in medicine.

Visually Confused Words