What does hormone therapy for cancer treat?

Some cancer cells carry receptors for oestrogen or progesterone. Hormone therapy blocks those hormones, lowers their production, or prevents the receptors from being activated. It is different from chemotherapy, which uses a different group of medicines.

The treatment can be used after surgery to reduce the chance of hormone-sensitive breast cancer returning, before another treatment, or for breast cancer that has spread. It may also be used for ductal carcinoma in situ in selected situations and for breast cancer in men when testing shows hormone receptors.

Ask for the hormone-receptor results from your pathology report. Options may include tablets such as Tamoxifen or medicines that reduce hormone production. The choice depends on menopausal status, sex, tumour features, other illnesses, and whether the cancer is localised or metastatic.

Take the medicine as prescribed and discuss troublesome hot flushes, joint symptoms, mood changes, vaginal symptoms, or sexual difficulties rather than stopping it alone. Tell your team about blood-clot history, bone health, and all medicines or supplements.

Seek urgent care for sudden chest pain, severe breathlessness, coughing blood, one-sided leg swelling, sudden weakness, or new confusion. Contact your oncology team about persistent bleeding, severe pain, or symptoms that interfere with taking treatment.

Which hormone receptors are present? What benefit is expected from endocrine treatment in my situation? How long is the planned course? Which side effects need a prompt call, and are there ways to protect bone or sexual health?