Hormone therapy for breast cancer 1: What to expect

You are here today because you are now going to start your hormone therapy treatment. Hormone therapy may be given at different times in your treatment plan. It may be after your surgery or when you've completed your chemotherapy. It may be given in combination with your radiotherapy or with other medication. It may also be the only treatment for your cancer.

There are several hormone therapy options available and are commonly used to treat breast cancer and prostate cancer. They are given as a tablet or injection.

You may also hear different words used when we're talking about hormone therapies such as: Endocrine therapy or Androgen deprivation therapy, also called ADT.

You may be on this treatment for many months or years, and for some of you, it may be lifelong. Your medical team will continue to tailor your plan to your specific situation and your individual circumstances, your cancer, its stage and grade.

The treatments are based on best practice for your specific cancer. No two are alike. The decision for hormone therapy to be introduced to your treatment plan is made with your input, at your appointment with your medical team.

Your doctor will always be monitoring the big picture as you move through your treatment. Sometimes your doctor may make a change to your hormone therapy. That is nothing to worry about and is common practice. The reason why the change is being made will be explained to you.

You should now be familiar with your medical team; however, it is important to say that you may still need to remember 1 or 2 key people and their contact details. For example, your specialist nurse, as they will be able to handle any questions and concerns you may have, as you progress through your hormone therapy.

Be assured that your medical team do understand, and are there to support you along the way and give you the best possible treatment for your cancer.

Hormone therapy differs from other cancer treatments because it's part of your everyday life. It may need some adjustment, but remember, life can be good on hormone therapy, and we want to support you to achieve this.