When is hormone therapy recommended for breast cancer?

Some breast cancer cells use oestrogen or progesterone signals to grow. Testing the tumour tissue can show whether hormone receptors are present. Hormone therapy reduces the effect of these signals or lowers the body's supply of them. It is a systemic treatment, so it can reach cancer cells beyond the original breast area. The exact medicine depends on factors such as menopausal status, other health conditions, previous treatment, and whether the aim is to reduce recurrence risk or control cancer that has returned.

Ask the oncology team to explain the receptor results in your pathology report and how they affect the treatment plan. Discuss the proposed medicine, expected duration, interactions with current medicines, effects on bones or periods, and options if side effects become difficult. Do not stop treatment suddenly without speaking with the team. More detail is available in Breast Cancer and Hormone Therapy for Cancer.

Contact the oncology team promptly for new severe symptoms, unusual bleeding, chest pain, sudden breathlessness, one-sided leg swelling, or a serious allergic reaction. Report persistent joint or muscle symptoms, mood changes, hot flushes, or vaginal symptoms because adjustments and supportive care may be possible.

Ask whether the cancer is oestrogen-receptor or progesterone-receptor positive, what benefit the treatment is intended to provide, which medicine is proposed, how monitoring will work, and what alternatives exist if it is not tolerated.