Ovarian and breast cancers are two of the most prevalent among women of all ages. If you’re living with cancer, you might be overwhelmed and confused by your options. The good news is that there are several treatments available, including hormone therapy. Alaska Oncology and Hematology, LLC in Anchorage is here to explain what hormonal therapy is and how it works.  

How Do Hormones Affect Ovarian & Breast Cancer?

The hormones estrogen and progesterone are produced in the ovaries and other glands in the body. They’re essential to reproductive health, menstruation, and fertility. After menopause, the ovaries stop producing hormones, but the body continues to create a small amount. 

Estrogen and progesterone can cause certain cancers to grow. These hormone-sensitive cancers feed on estrogen and progesterone. Hormone therapy can work by blocking estrogen from acting on cancer cells or lowering estrogen levels in the body. 

How Is Estrogen Affected by Treatment Options? 

Some drugs prevent cancer cells from picking up estrogen. When cells receive estrogen, the hormone causes them to grow and spread. Tamoxifen is the most common drug that blocks estrogen. Because it inhibits estrogen from growing in breast cells and acts as an estrogen in other tissues, it’s called a selective estrogen receptor modulator. It can be used in treatments and lowers the risk of cancer in some patients. 

Other drugs, called aromatase inhibitors, prevent estrogen production in tissues, such as fat and skin. These drugs don’t prevent ovaries from producing estrogen, however, which is why they’re used primarily in postmenopausal women. Premenopausal women might also take these drugs in conjunction with other treatments, such as medicine or surgery, that stop the ovaries from producing estrogen. 

Your doctor will help you decide if hormone therapy is the right treatment option for you. This determination will depend on many factors, including whether you’ve gone through menopause and if you want to have children. If you’re an Anchorage resident, turn to the breast cancer treatment specialists at Alaska Oncology and Hematology, LLC. They offer compassionate, expert cancer treatment, including hormone therapy and chemotherapy. Call (907) 279-3155 to schedule an appointment, or visit their website to learn more about their services and your treatment options.