Hormone therapy at The Holly Hospital
- Overview
Understand what hormone therapy for cancer involves, how it differs from HRT, the different types, and the benefits and side effects to expect.
What are hormone therapies?
Hormones are natural substances made by glands in our bodies. They are carried around our body in our bloodstream and act as messengers between one part of our body and another. Hormones are responsible for many functions in our body, including the growth and activity of certain cells and organs.
Hormone therapy is commonly used in treatments for cancer that use or block hormones. Some cancers use hormones to grow or develop. This means the cancer is hormone sensitive or hormone dependent.
Find out more about Cancer Care at The Holly Hospital
How can hormone therapy be used for cancer?
Hormone therapy for cancer uses medicines to block or lower the amount of hormones in the body to stop or slow down the growth of cancer.
Hormone therapy stops hormones being made or prevents hormones from making cancer cells grow and divide. It does not work for all cancers.
We offer hormone therapy treatment for patients with the following cancers:
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
Side effects of hormone therapy
Your Consultant will go through the side effects of hormone therapies with you and provide advice on how best to cope with them. Potential side effects can include fatigue, hair loss, migraines and bowel problems.
FAQs
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Is hormone therapy the same as HRT?
No, despite the similar-sounding names. This treatment works against hormones that are helping a cancer grow, whereas HRT adds hormones back into the body to ease menopause symptoms.
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How is it decided whether treatment is right for my breast cancer?
Lab testing of your cancer for hormone receptors settles this. Your team will talk through what the results mean and recommend a suitable drug if this treatment looks likely to help.
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How long will I need to take hormone therapy for?
This varies. Breast cancer tablets of this kind often run for five to ten years. Where treatment is aimed at cancer that's returned or spread, it generally continues for as long as it's working and any side effects stay manageable.
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Will stopping hormone therapy cause problems?
No. There's no need to wind the dose down slowly, and coming off treatment doesn't trigger side effects of its own.
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Can hormone therapy cause weight gain?
It can, prostate cancer treatment in particular. Mention it to your doctor, nurse or a dietitian if it becomes a genuine concern.
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Can hormone therapy be combined with other cancer treatments?
Yes, it’s frequently paired with surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, with the exact sequencing tailored to your individual treatment plan.
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