Breast Cancer and Hormone Therapy: What You Should Know

Breast Cancer and Hormone Therapy: What You Should Know

  • Post On : 11 Dec ,2024

Did you know that around 70 % of breast cancers are diagnosed after the age of forty, and about 20 % in women aged 70 or above? This clearly means that early detection through breast screening can save the lives of survivors. Diagnosed women can begin their therapy as early as possible and cope with the challenges in a better way. One great therapy to treat breast cancer is Hormone therapy.

It is also known as endocrine therapy and can help treat certain types of breast cancers. Many doctors in Queensland recommend this treatment in the early stages as it can block or lower the hormone levels, such as estrogen. It is one of the key hormones that generously feed breast cancer cells. To understand how this therapy works, its benefits and key side effects, keep on reading the article and create awareness of breast cancer and its treatment.

Let’s Get Started!

1. The Mechanism of Hormone Therapy

As mentioned above, it is used for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. This type of cancer usually grows due to high levels of estrogen and progesterone. The therapy simply blocks the hormones that feed the cancer cells and lowers their levels. It can reduce the chances of recurrence after surgery and help eliminate tumours. However, the result may vary from individual to individual or complexity of the disease.

2. What are the Types of Hormone Therapies?

There are mainly two types of hormone therapy to cure breast cancer:

Estrogen Receptor Blockers:

Drugs like tamoxifin are used in the treatment to block estrogen hormone. It stops nourishing, which in turn shrinks the cancer cells.

Aromatase Inhibitors:

Letrozole, exemestane, etc work effectively by lowering the estrogen levels by blocking the enzyme aromatase. It can transform androgens into estrogen in post menopause stage as well.

Doctors in Queensland decide the type of therapy after the detailed diagnosis of breast cancer and its effect on your body.

3. Menopausal Status Matters

The result of hormone therapy depends on the menopausal status of a patient. Premenopausal women are treated using estrogen receptor blockers because their ovaries are still producing estrogen. Postmenopausal women, on the other hand, require aromatase inhibitors to lower the amount of estrogen in the body. So, it is important to understand the warning signs to get started with the treatment asap.

4. What Are the Key Side Effects?

There is no denying that cancer treatments have some potential reactions. In hormone therapy, you may feel hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, weight and mood swings. Women with postmenopausal symptoms may face bone thinning problems due to the side effects of aromatase inhibitors. These side effects can vary but affect your quality of life.

5. Duration of Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy showed some positive signs among patients. It can avoid the recurrence of breast cancer. However, the therapy is prescribed for a period of 5 to 10 years, depending on the risk factors and type of breast cancer. Remember that the duration of the therapy is also based on the response of the patient’s willpower. So, it is good to consult the best doctor in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and other cities of Queensland before making the final decision. You can also join the breast cancer health centre QLD to improve your symptoms.

Wrapping up

Hormone therapy can be effective in treating hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. It can give you a ray of life and reduce the chances of recurrence while improving survival rates.

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