Hormone therapy
In some cancers, cancer cells exploit the body’s hormones to grow. Hormonal cancer therapy works by preventing this activity. Hormone therapy for cancer therefore seeks to prevent production and effects of hormones that are vital for the cancer in question.
Hormone therapy is a form of targeted drug therapy
Hormonal cancer treatment is used for types of cancer such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, thyroid cancer and endometrial cancer. Hormones decisively regulate the normal growth and development of these organs.
Hormonal treatments are always planned on a personal basis and their effects differ greatly from one person to another. Hormone therapy affects human sex hormone levels and can bring about comprehensive symptoms. For example, drugs that block the effects of oestrogen bring on the symptoms of menopause due to female hormone deficiency, though these symptoms can be alleviated.
Compared to chemotherapy, your body tolerates hormone therapy better. Hormonal treatment is usually long term, generally lasting for years. In some cases it may continue for the rest of a patient’s life.
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Follow-up care
After treatment, you will be followed up. Cancer patients are followed up at regular intervals. Follow-up varies depending on the type of cancer and how far the cancer has spread. You may receive follow-up care for some time after treatment in a specialist hospital and then transfer to primary care.
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Cancer treatments
Cancer treatments are being continually developed. Increasingly more effective and better-targeted treatments are available. As treatment has developed, the outcomes have improved. Treatment outcomes in Finland are outstanding by international comparisons.
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Supporting a person who is ill
Seeing a loved one suffering and in pain can make you feel helpless and insecure. You both have your own suffering to deal with. You would like to be there to support and help them, but you don’t know how or in what way.
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