Hormone therapy is a treatment for some types of cancer.
This page is for hormone therapy for cancer. For treatment of menopause symptoms see hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Hormones are substances that are made naturally by the organs and glands in your body. They send messages and influence how cells grow and work. Examples of hormones are oestrogen or testosterone.
How hormone therapy for cancer works
A hormone therapy can:
- lower the amount of certain hormones in your body
- block certain hormones from getting to cancer cells
When you might have hormone therapy for cancer
Your healthcare team may recommend treatment with hormone therapy.
This can depend on:
- your overall health
- the type of cancer you have
- any treatment you have had already
- how far your cancer has spread (the stage)
- your consent and wishes
You may have hormone therapy with other treatments or on its own.
You will only be offered hormone therapy for cancer if you have a type of cancer that depends on hormones to grow.
For example:
- prostate cancer
- breast cancer
- womb cancer
But hormone therapy does not work for everyone.
Deciding to have hormone therapy for cancer
Your care team will talk to you about the treatment options they think are best for you. But the final decision is yours.
Deciding to have cancer treatment
Routine tests and checks
You'll have tests:
- before treatment to check your general health
- during treatment to check your progress
Getting hormone therapy for cancer
There are different ways you can be given hormone therapy for cancer. Your doctor will explain them to you and recommend what is best.
Depending on what type you get, your healthcare team will tell you where you need to go for treatment.
You may have treatment:
- in hospital - your doctor will tell you if you can go home after treatment or if you need to stay overnight
- in a clinic that is close to your home
- at home
You may also be given medicine to prevent or treat side effects.
How long treatment is for
How much hormone therapy you'll need and how often can vary from person to person.
Ask your healthcare team about the number of cycles you need to treat the cancer.
How long cancer treatment is for
Side effects
The side effects of hormone therapy for cancer depend on the type of hormone therapy. It can be different for everyone.
Common side effects of hormone therapy for cancer include:
- tiredness
- headaches
- feeling sick
- muscle or joint aches
Some people may also have:
- hot flushes
- reduced sex drive
- erectile dysfunction
Side effects usually go away when treatment stops.
If you have side effects
Tell your healthcare team if you have any side effects from any cancer medicine treatment.
They may be able to give you medicines to prevent or treat some side effects.
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or phone your SOS hotline if:
- you are concerned about side effects or symptoms
During evenings or weekends, you can contact your local GP out-of-hours service.
Report side effects
You can report any suspected side effects to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
Taking other medicines
Tell your healthcare team before you take any other medicines.
This includes:
- medicines you are prescribed by your GP
- medicine you buy from a pharmacy
- herbal remedies
Other medicines can affect how well hormone therapy works. They may also cause dangerous side effects.
How to find out more about your medicines
To get detailed information about a specific medicine:
- ask your care team for information
- check your patient information leaflet
Deciding to stop treatment
Talk to your healthcare team if you're thinking of stopping treatment. For example if you are struggling with side effects.
Your team can give you advice about the benefits of continuing with treatment.
But the final decision to continue or stop is yours.
Clinical trials
You may be able to get hormone therapy as part of a clinical trial for cancer.
You can ask your healthcare team if there are clinical trials available for your type of cancer.
Help and support
Ask your treatment team about:
- what this type of treatment involves
- any worries you have
- about supports you can get or apply for
Help and support you can get if you or someone you care for has cancer
