HORMONE THERAPY

The growth of breast cancer seems to be enhanced by the female hormone oestrogen. Hormone therapy stops oestrogen from encouraging the growth of breast cancer cells. It also removes oestrogen that is naturally present in the body.

Hormone therapy is usually administered as tablets, taken once daily Tamoxifen is one such form of hormone therapy. Tamoxifen is usually prescribed for five years to be taken daily.

A more recent group of hormone modifying drugs called aromatase inhibitors are also used, especially to treat advanced breast cancer or breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatized) Arimidex, Femara, and Aromasin are examples of aromatase inhibitors which interfere with the production of oestrogen.

The side effects of these drugs include -

•Being very tired

•Hot flushes

•Feeling sick

•Headaches.

Tamoxifen may also cause blood clots and endometrial cancer.
Having breast cancer can be frightening and stressful. The periods of treatment can be lonely, tiring, and difficult. It is also not easy to put aside the demands of others - family, friends, colleagues, and work mates. But if you are to become well again you need to take control of your life and treatment. You need to look after yourself first.
Some tips to help yourself

•Learn to ask for help. You will be surprised at how many people do want to help you recover.

•Try to hand over your work to others.

•Eat well. Even though you may have loss of appetite, it is important that you get all the nutrition your body needs. Try eating small portions frequently - rather than one or two large meals.

•Take time to rest. Sleep as much as possible

•Drink plenty of water and liquids

•Allow yourself emotional support. Cry or laugh. Be angry. Many people have found that meditation and turning to a religious philosophy helps immensely during these difficult times.

•Talk to other women who have been through the same experiences. Try not to feel isolated and lonely.

Help yourself. You will feel better

MITHURUWELA The Cancer Support Network c/o # 70/1 Peterson Lane Colombo 6 Sri Lanka mithuruwela@gmail.com http://www.mithuruwela.org
