Frequently questions How do I know if I am hormone receptor-positive? If secondary breast cancer is your first diagnosis of breast cancer, your surgeon will probably do a biopsy to see whether there are hormone receptors on your cancer cells. If you have been diagnosed with early or locally advanced breast cancer before, your pathology report may show whether your breast cancer was hormone receptor positive. However, your surgeon may decide to do another biopsy to see whether there has been any change in the receptors on your cancer cells. How do I choose which hormonal therapy to have? The decision whether to have hormonal therapies and which one is best for you will depend on your individual situation. This includes: whether there are hormone receptors on your breast cancer cells whether you have reached menopause whether you have taken a hormonal therapy in the past whether you have completed your family your preference. When recommending which hormonal therapy is best for you, your doctor will consider the likely benefits and possible side effects of the different treatments. If I have side effects, can I lower my dose of hormonal therapy? The recommended doses of hormonal therapies are the ones that have been shown to be beneficial in clinical trials. Taking lower doses or less frequent doses is not a good idea. If you have side effects that are concerning you, it is important that you discuss them with your oncologist, surgeon or GP. If I change GPs during treatment, what should I do? If you change GPs while you are taking hormonal therapies, it is important to let your new GP know what you are taking. If I run out of my script, can my GP renew it? Your GP can renew most hormonal therapy scripts. Ask your treatment team about the therapy you have been prescribed. If I am planning to have surgery (including dental surgery), can I continue to take my hormonal therapy? Tamoxifen increases the risk of blood clots. If you are likely to be confined to bed or if your movement is likely to be limited for a period of time, your doctor may recommend that you stop taking your hormonal therapy before surgery. If your doctor suggests that you stop taking your hormonal therapy, you should not start taking it again until you are
Frequently questions How do I know if I am hormone receptor-positive? If secondary breast cancer is your first diagnosis of breast cancer, your surgeon will probably do a biopsy to see whether there are hormone receptors on your cancer cells. If you have been diagnosed with early or locally advanced breast cancer before, your pathology report may show whether your breast cancer was hormone receptor positive. However, your surgeon may decide to do another biopsy to see whether there has been any change in the receptors on your cancer cells. How do I choose which hormonal therapy to have? The decision whether to have hormonal therapies and which one is best for you will depend on your individual situation. This includes: whether there are hormone receptors on your breast cancer cells whether you have reached menopause whether you have taken a hormonal therapy in the past whether you have completed your family your preference. When recommending which hormonal therapy is best for you, your doctor will consider the likely benefits and possible side effects of the different treatments. If I have side effects, can I lower my dose of hormonal therapy? The recommended doses of hormonal therapies are the ones that have been shown to be beneficial in clinical trials. Taking lower doses or less frequent doses is not a good idea. If you have side effects that are concerning you, it is important that you discuss them with your oncologist, surgeon or GP. If I change GPs during treatment, what should I do? If you change GPs while you are taking hormonal therapies, it is important to let your new GP know what you are taking. If I run out of my script, can my GP renew it? Your GP can renew most hormonal therapy scripts. Ask your treatment team about the therapy you have been prescribed. If I am planning to have surgery (including dental surgery), can I continue to take my hormonal therapy? Tamoxifen increases the risk of blood clots. If you are likely to be confined to bed or if your movement is likely to be limited for a period of time, your doctor may recommend that you stop taking your hormonal therapy before surgery. If your doctor suggests that you stop taking your hormonal therapy, you should not start taking it again until you are