Research News on Hormonal Therapy

Your doctors recommend hormonal treatments largely based on the results of clinical trials (also called clinical studies). These studies give people the opportunity to try new therapies under careful supervision in order to help doctors identify the best treatments with the fewest side effects. These studies help improve the overall standard of care.

Reports of new studies might show similarities and differences between therapies, new ways to combine or time treatments, and better ways to avoid or manage side effects. After clinical trials report their results, treatment recommendations can change.

But while the reports of new findings are exciting, they have not yet been thoroughly tested or proven. Over time, multiple trials study large numbers of women, and the results can yield more conclusive evidence. Your doctor may want to see more fully developed study results before switching you from a tried-and-true standard of care to something new.

On a frequent basis, Breastcancer.org reports on advances in hormonal therapy that may help you. For example, we report on:

• comparisons of each aromatase inhibitor to tamoxifen (in the ATAC, MA–17, and IES trials)
• new uses for hormonal therapy, both after surgery and to shrink tumors BEFORE surgery
• side effects of hormonal therapies and how best to treat or avoid them
• the timing and combinations of hormonal therapies with chemotherapy and radiation

If you'd like to be notified about upcoming Research News reports, as well as other important Breastcancer.org programs, including Ask-the-Expert Online Conferences, we encourage you to sign up for free email updates.