Hormone therapy

Hormones that are naturally produced in the body can cause some cancers to grow. The aim of hormone therapy (also called endocrine therapy or androgen deprivation therapy, ADT) is to slow down the growth of these cancers by lowering the amount of hormones the tumour cells are exposed to.

Hormone therapy for breast cancer – If a cancer is growing in response to the hormones oestrogen or progesterone, the cancer cells will have hormone receptors. These are proteins found on the surface of the cancer cell. There are two main types of hormone receptors: oestrogen receptors and progesterone receptors. Cancer cells with hormone receptors on them are said to be hormone receptor positive or hormone- sensitive cancers. They are likely to respond to hormone therapy.

Anti-oestrogen drugs (such as tamoxifen) are used to reduce the risk of oestrogen-sensitive breast cancers coming back after treatment. Many anti-oestrogen drugs are taken for 5–10 years. Pregnancy should be avoided while taking the drugs and for 9 months afterwards, as there is a risk the drugs could harm an unborn child. These drugs can cause menopause symptoms, although they don’t bring on menopause. Anti-oestrogen drugs do not damage the ovaries or eggs. Males with breast cancer who are taking the drug tamoxifen may experience increased sperm production.

Hormone therapy for cancer of the uterus – Some cancers of the uterus grow in response to oestrogen. Hormone therapy may be given if the cancer has spread or if the cancer has come back, particularly if it is a low-grade cancer.

Hormone therapy for prostate cancer – The hormone testosterone helps prostate cancer to grow. Hormone therapy may reduce how much testosterone your body makes and help slow the growth of the cancer or even shrink the cancer, but it may also cause infertility.

→ READ MORE: The impact of other cancer treatment on fertility

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