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Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer, Female


About this topic


Breast cancer is a growth of cells in your breast that are not normal. Some kinds of cancer need a hormone called estrogen to grow. This kind of cancer is ER-positive. Your body makes estrogen in your ovaries. Estrogen is a hormone that is important for your sexual health, menstruation, pregnancy, and bone growth. ‚  
Other kinds of cancers are ER-negative and estrogen does not change how the cancer cells grow. ‚  
Breast cancer is treated in a number of ways. You may need surgery, radiation, or drugs. Hormone therapy is one more way. Hormone therapy is used: ‚  
  • For early stage of breast cancer
  • To treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Hormone therapy is given before, at the same time with, or after other breast cancer treatment.
  • Before surgery or chemo to shrink the cancer before other treatments happen
  • To lower the risk and help avoid ER-positive breast cancer

General


Hormone therapy for breast cancer only works if you have ER-positive type of cancer. The goal of hormone therapy is to lower the amount of estrogen. Lowering the amount of estrogen may be done in a few ways. ‚  
  • Drugs to:
    • Stop the cancer cells from using the estrogen to grow
    • Prevent cancer cells from coming back
    • Stop your body from making estrogen
  • Surgery to remove the ovaries. Your body makes estrogen in your ovaries.

What will the results be?


Hormone therapy may stop the body from making estrogen. When the source of estrogen is lowered, the cancer cells either die or grow more slowly. ‚  

What problems could happen?


You may have side effects from the drugs used to lower your estrogen levels. You may have: ‚  
  • Less desire for sex
  • Less energy and feel tired
  • Hot flashes
  • Muscle pain
  • Blood clots
  • Joint pain
  • More sweating
  • Change in mood
  • Weakened bones

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of infection such as a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, drainage with bad odor, increasing pain.
  • Feeling short of breath
  • Pain or swelling in lower leg
  • Pain in chest
  • You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse

Where can I learn more?


American Cancer Society ‚  
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/DetailedGuide/breast-cancer-treating-hormone-therapy ‚  
National Cancer Institute ‚  
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/hormone-therapy-breast ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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