Hormonal intervention is used if you have an oestrogen-positive tumour. The hormone therapy blocks oestrogen production in the body.
Different tablets work on different pathways used in the production of oestrogen and the type best suited for you will be chosen according to:
- Menopausal stage
- Breast cancer stage
- HER2 status and Ki67
- Bone density
- History, if any, of blood clots
- History, if any, of arthritis
- Personal risk of uterine and ovarian cancer
Treatment may include the use of anti-oestrogen drugs including: Tamoxifen, Arimidex, Aromasin, Femara, Faslodex and Zoladex injections.
Hormone Suppressor Medication
Aromatase Inhibitors (AI): decrease the circulating oestrogen in a woman’s body by preventing the aromatase enzyme from converting androgen (androstenedione and testosterone) into oestrogen (oestrone and oestradiol), which is the principal source of oestrogen for post-menopausal women.
These drugs should only be prescribed to women who are post-menopausal.
The three main aromatase inhibitors are
- Arimidex (anastrozole)
- Femara (letrazole)
- Aromasin (exemestane)
Selective Oestrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMS):synthetic hormones such as Nolvadex (tamoxifen) and Evista (raloxifene) that bind to the oestrogen receptors in a woman’s breast cells in place of her own oestrogen.
SERMS ‘fake out’ the oestrogen receptors because, unlike natural oestrogen, they do not stimulate breast cell growth.
You may be on the treatment for five years or more.
Are there side effects to hormone therapy?
Possible side-effects of taking the above treatment include:
- Hot flushes
- Joint pain/stiffness
- Vaginal dryness
- Hair thinning
- Thromboembolism
- Rash
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Weight gain
- Dizziness
Speak to your caregiver and medical team about managing these side effects. They will recommend treatment through a combination of medications and lifestyle changes to help you regain quality of life.
