Hormone Therapy

What Is Hormone Therapy?

Hormone therapy, also known as ‘hormonal’ or ‘endocrine’ therapy, is a type of cancer treatment that blocks or alters your body’s hormone levels to slow or stop the growth of certain cancers. This treatment is commonly used for hormone-related cancers such as breast and prostate cancer.

The Episcopal Health Services (EHS) Cancer Center on the Rockaway Peninsula provides you with a wide range of hormone therapy options that manage cancer progression, relieve symptoms and improve outcomes.

How Does Hormone Therapy Work?

Some cancers rely on hormones to grow. Hormone therapy disrupts this process in several ways:

• Blocking the production of hormones that help cancer cells grow
• Interfering with hormone action at cancer cell receptors

Your hormone therapy may be delivered:

• Before surgery or radiation to shrink tumors (neoadjuvant therapy)
• After primary treatment to reduce your risk for recurrence (adjuvant therapy)
• To manage symptoms and slow the spread of advanced cancers

How Is Hormone Therapy Administered?

Hormone therapy can be delivered through:

• Oral Medications: Pills you take daily or as prescribed
• Injections: These are administered by needle in the muscle or under the skin

Your EHS Cancer Center oncology team will create a customized care plan based on your cancer type, hormone sensitivity, and health profile.

Are There Hormone Therapy Risks and Side Effects?

You may experience side effects depending on the type of cancer you have.

For prostate cancer, possible side effects include:

• Hot flashes
• Loss of sexual desire or function
• Bone thinning (osteoporosis)
• Fatigue
• Breast tenderness or enlargement

For breast cancer, possible side effects include:

• Hot flashes
• Vaginal dryness
• Menstrual changes (if premenopausal)
• Mood changes
• Nausea
• Reduced libido

Your EHS Comprehensive Cancer Center oncology team will support you at every stage of treatment, helping you manage side effects and maintain your quality of life.