Hormone therapies can be applied in the treatment of breast cancer, prostate cancer and gynecological cancers. Stating that side effects treatments should not be neglected while taking hormone therapy, which should not be interrupted during the pandemic period, Anadolu Health Center Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Serdar Turhal said, “If hormones have an effect on the proliferation of a cancer cell (prostate cancer, breast cancer, gynecological cancers), hormone treatments or anti-hormone treatments may contribute. Many other cancers, such as lung, colon and stomach cancers, are not the primary benefit of anti-hormone treatments because they are not cells that reproduce through hormones. Saying that hormones are proteins made by the body and that they control the growth of cells, Anadolu Medical Center Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Serdar Turhal said, “Some parts of the body need sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone in order to work and reproduce. Apart from this, there are also hormones that perform different tasks such as thyroid hormone and insulin hormone. The growth of some cancers is also hormone dependent. In the treatment of these cancers, drugs that disrupt, block or stop the functioning of this hormone are needed. These treatments are also called ‘hormone therapy’. Hormone therapy cannot be applied in all types of cancer. If hormones have an effect on the proliferation of a cancer cell, which is often the case for cancers such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, and gynecological cancers, Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Serdar Turhal said, “Many other common cancers, such as lung, colon and stomach cancers, do not have the primary benefit of anti-hormone treatments because they are not cells that reproduce through hormones.” Medical Oncology Specialist Prof., who pointed out that the side effects of hormone treatments are the side effects that depend on the hormone drug used, and that some of them can be really bothersome side effects for the patient. Dr. Serdar Turhal said, “It is important to know what these side effects are when making the treatment decision. Thus, it may be possible to establish a balance between the benefit of the treatment and the distress it creates. Stating that the most common side effects are the complaints of albasma, Prof. Dr. Serdar Turhal said, “The treatments used in prostate cancer can also reduce sexual desire, prevent erection, cause bone loss, fatigue, weight gain, and loss of attention. Again, hormone treatments for breast cancer may cause flushing, as well as dryness in the vagina, decrease sexual desire, fatigue, nausea, pain in muscles and joints, weakening that will lead to fractures of bones, more rarely cancer, blood clotting, It can cause paralysis,” he said. Hormone treatments have no side effects on the immune system. Dr. Serdar Turhal said, “Therefore, there is no need to take an additional drug to strengthen immunity while taking hormone therapy. However, while taking hormone therapy, it should be learned what the side effects are, the precautions that can be taken to cope with these side effects should be consulted with the doctor, and taking these supports should not be neglected. If side effects increase or persist despite these helpful interventions, it is necessary to consult a doctor again. Treatments for side effects may not necessarily be in the form of medication. For example, exercise may have an additional contribution to reversing bone weakening. “Like calcium, taking vitamin-mineral supplements may also provide additional benefits.”
Source: (BHA) – Beyaz News Agency
