Types of hormone therapy
Hormone therapy is a key treatment for people with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. There are several types of hormone therapy, each working in different ways to either block oestrogen from reaching cancer cells or reduce the amount of oestrogen the body makes. The type of therapy that's right for you will depend on factors like whether you’ve been through menopause, the specific features of your cancer, and your overall health.
Some therapies work by blocking oestrogen’s effects on breast cancer cells—these are often called anti-oestrogen therapies. Others, like aromatase inhibitors, lower oestrogen levels in the body, and are usually used after menopause
For some people, ovarian suppression treatments are used temporarily stop the ovaries from producing oestrogen. Your care team will help choose the approach that best supports your recovery and fits your life, giving you the best chance of preventing cancer coming back.
The most common hormone therapies used to treat oestrogen receptor (ER+) positive breast cancer are:
- Anti-oestrogens, most commonly tamoxifen
- Aromatase inhibitors (AIs), which include anastrozole (Arimidex), letrozole (Femara) and exemestane (Aromasin).
- Ovarian suppression treatments, which include drugs like goserelin (Zoladex) and leuprorelin (Lucrin).
Tamoxifen
Tamoxifen is one of the most commonly used hormone therapies for breast cancer. It works by blocking the effects of oestrogen on breast cancer cells, helping to prevent the cancer from growing or returning.
Aromatase inhibitors
Aromatase inhibitors are a type of hormone therapy used mainly for people who have been through menopause. They work by reducing the amount of oestrogen the body makes, helping to slow or stop the growth of hormone-sensitive breast cancer cells.
Ovarian suppression
Ovarian suppression is a treatment that lowers oestrogen levels by stopping the ovaries from producing it. It’s often used for premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. It is often used in conjunction with other hormone therapies.