When is hormone therapy recommended for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer?

A pathology report may describe the tumour as oestrogen-receptor positive, progesterone-receptor positive, or both. These receptors can receive hormone signals. Medicines can block the receptor signal or reduce the body's supply of oestrogen. The choice depends on menopausal status, tumour features, other health conditions, and treatments already given.

Your oncology team may discuss hormone therapy after surgery, alongside other treatments, or for breast cancer that cannot be removed or has returned. Take the medicine exactly as prescribed and report troublesome effects rather than stopping it without advice. Keep a record of bleeding changes, joint symptoms, hot flushes, mood changes, and other concerns so the team can review them.

Contact your oncology team promptly for unexpected vaginal bleeding, severe or worsening pain, chest pain, sudden breathlessness, one-sided leg swelling, or a new neurological symptom. These symptoms can have causes unrelated to treatment, but they need timely assessment. Seek urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, fainting, or sudden weakness.

Ask which receptor result supports hormone therapy, what medicine and duration are being considered, how it fits with surgery or other treatment, which effects should be reported quickly, and whether another option is available if side effects interfere with daily life.