What is hormonal therapy in breast cancer?

Hormone therapy (also called hormonal therapy, hormone treatment, or endocrine therapy) slows or stops the growth of hormone-sensitive tumors by blocking the body’s ability to produce hormones or by interfering with effects of hormones on breast cancer cells.

What are the drugs for hormonal therapy?

Types of hormone therapy

• Aromatase inhibitors (AIs), such as anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole.
• Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), such as tamoxifen and raloxifene.
• Estrogen receptor antagonists, such as fulvestrant and toremifene.

Is hormone therapy better than chemotherapy?

Contrary to the commonly held view, 2 years after diagnosis, hormone therapy, a highly effective breast cancer treatment worsens quality of life to a greater extent and for a longer time, especially in menopausal patients. The deleterious effects of chemotherapy are more transient.

When do you start endocrine therapy for breast cancer?

When is hormone therapy used for breast cancer? Hormone therapy is often used after surgery (as adjuvant therapy) to help reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. Sometimes it is started before surgery (as neoadjuvant therapy). It is usually taken for at least 5 years.

Is hormone therapy same as chemotherapy?

Hormone therapy is used to block hormones or their actions. Hormone replacement therapy, which is not a cancer treatment, is when hormones are given to replace the ones the body no longer makes to treat menopause-related symptoms.

How quickly does hormone therapy work?

It may take a few weeks to feel the effects of treatment and there may be some side effects at first. A GP will usually recommend trying treatment for 3 months to see if it helps. If it does not, they may suggest changing your dose, or changing the type of HRT you’re taking.

Is hormone therapy worse than chemotherapy?

Contrary to the commonly held view, two years after diagnosis, hormone therapy, a highly effective breast cancer treatment, worsens quality of life to a greater extent and for a longer time, especially in menopausal patients. The deleterious effects of chemotherapy are more transient.

What causes hormonal breast cancer?

Studies have also shown that a woman’s risk of breast cancer is related to the estrogen and progesterone made by her ovaries (known as endogenous estrogen and progesterone). Being exposed for a long time and/or to high levels of these hormones has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.

Which cancers are treated with hormone therapy?

Hormone therapy is used to treat prostate and breast cancers that use hormones to grow. Hormone therapy is most often used along with other cancer treatments.