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Hormonal therapy during or after radiation?

Page last modified on: October 13, 2008
Question from Ruth: Should a person start hormonal therapy during radiation, or wait until radiation has been completed
Answers —Patricia Ganz, M.D.: That's a good question. We don't really have an answer for you, because no studies have been done looking at whether there is a difference in outcome for women who take hormonal therapy with radiation or after radiation. In general, I start the hormonal therapy after radiation simply because it's easier to separate symptoms and problems women could be having related to the hormone therapy if I give it after radiation is completed. But there are other physicians who give it during radiation, so there isn't a correct answer.
Lillie Shockney, R.N., B.S., M.A.S.: We really have decided to let it be the physician's preference.

On Wednesday, August 15, 2007, the Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Managing Ongoing Medications. Patricia Ganz, M.D. and moderator Lillie Shockney, R.N., B.S., M.A.S. answered your questions about staying on track with breast cancer medications you have to take on a regular basis.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Patricia A. Ganz, M.D.Patricia A. Ganz, M.D. is a medical oncologist and a professor in the schools of medicine and public health at UCLA, and is director of the division of cancer prevention and control research at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center there.

Lillie Shockney, RN., BS., M.A.S.Lillie Shockney, R.N., B.S., M.A.S. is the administrative director of the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center.

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