Long-Term Side Effects of Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer

Contents:

Medical Video: The Late Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment

Hormone therapy is useful for reducing the amount of estrogen in the body. Some therapies can even change the hormone progesterone level.

Side effects of hormone therapy depend on the medication used during treatment. Patients will get side effects from hormone therapy because hormone therapy can reduce hormone levels in the body or be able to stop the body from using hormones. The benefits and risks of hormone therapy taken must be carefully considered first because although it is rare, the long-term effects of hormone therapy can cause:

    • Blood clots
    • Thinning of bones
    • Changes in vision
    • Cervical cancer

Risk of blood clots

An increased risk of blood clots can occur in the legs or lungs. Common symptoms of blood clots are pain, swelling around the clotting area, marked by a warm clot. The patient will begin to feel short of breath and experience pain in the chest or back. If the clots have moved into the lungs, the patient may experience coughing up blood.

Thinning of bones

Patients will be more susceptible to bone thinning or osteoporosis if they choose drugs that function to prevent the body from producing estrogen. Usually this is a long-term effect of using aromatase inhibitors. Before starting or after treatment, bone density must be examined to determine the extent of bone strength. Doctors will advise against choosing aromatase inhibitors if there is a sign of osteoporosis in the patient's body.

Patients may be prescribed calcium and vitamin D to help reduce the adverse effects on bone when performing an aromatase inhibitor treatment. Exercise can help reduce the risk of bone problems such as walking or running.

Research has shown that patients taking tamoxifen after menopause are less likely to have bone problems than women who do not choose tamoxifen treatment. Tamoxifen can help maintain bone strength so that it can prevent bone problems during breast cancer treatment.

Changes in vision

Although very rare, tamoxifen treatment can cause changes in vision. Tell your doctor if there is a change in vision and if you need an eye exam you should do it.

Cervical cancer

Tamoxifen only gives a small chance of the risk of uterine cancer. See a doctor if you experience abnormal bleeding. The type of uterine cancer caused by tamoxifen can almost always be cured. The hormones used in the treatment of breast cancer do not increase the risk of uterine cancer. The benefits of tamoxifen are the small possibility that the cancer will come back.

If the patient experiences discomfort with the treatment done, then consult a doctor because the doctor will suggest ways to overcome the discomfort that occurs during treatment. Notification to the doctor will help women to change the type of treatment performed.

Try to be open and talk to your partner about feelings experienced during treatment. Even though it's difficult but expresses feelings that are experienced, this will still be very helpful. If you experience feelings of sadness or stress, counseling can help alleviate those feelings. The possibility that the doctor will also provide treatment to overcome fatigue or depression.

Long-Term Side Effects of Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer
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