The short version
- Hormone therapy, such as tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor, is usually taken for 5 to 10 years after surgery, and keeps reducing the risk of breast cancer coming back.1
- Side effects such as hot flushes, joint pain, tiredness and mood changes are common, but there’s usually something that can help.1
- Don’t stop on your own. Talk to your team: they may suggest a different drug, a short break, or treatments for the side effects.1
Why it’s worth keeping going
Most breast cancers are hormone receptor positive, which means oestrogen can help them grow. Hormone therapy blocks or lowers oestrogen, and it continues to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back for years.1 Your team will tell you how long to take it, usually between 5 and 10 years, depending on your cancer and your risk.1
Common side effects, and what helps
| Side effect | What can help |
|---|---|
| Hot flushes and night sweats | Layers, cooling, cutting down on triggers such as alcohol and caffeine, CBT, and some non-hormonal medicines. See menopause symptoms.2, 3 |
| Joint and muscle pain (especially with aromatase inhibitors) | Regular exercise, including strength training, painkillers, and sometimes switching drugs. See joint pain on aromatase inhibitors.4, 5 |
| Tiredness | Gradually increasing activity, pacing and better sleep. See when fatigue doesn’t go away. |
| Sleep problems | A regular routine, and CBT for insomnia, such as Sleepio, free through Macmillan. See sleep problems.6 |
| Low mood or mood changes | Talking to your team or GP, being active, and talking therapies.7 |
| Vaginal dryness and sexual changes | Vaginal moisturisers and lubricants, and talking to your team about other options. |
| Bone thinning (aromatase inhibitors) | Bone scans, calcium and vitamin D if needed, bone-protecting medicines, and strength and impact exercise. See bone health after treatment.8 |
Staying on track
- Tell your team about side effects early. They may suggest switching to a different hormone therapy drug, or a short break.1
- Stay active. Exercise helps with joint pain, fatigue, mood, weight and bones.4, 9 Read exercise on hormone therapy.
- Use reminders, such as a phone alarm or a pill box.
- Check other medicines with your pharmacist, including herbal remedies and supplements, as some can interact with hormone therapy.
- Order repeat prescriptions in good time, especially before holidays.
Talk to your team before stopping
It’s common to think about stopping, especially if side effects are getting you down. Please talk to your team or GP first. There’s often a way to make things easier, and they can help you weigh up the benefits and side effects for you.1
Free support
- Breast Cancer Now helpline: free on 0808 800 6000.
- Macmillan Support Line: free on 0808 808 00 00.
Prefer a guided plan?
A personalised rehabilitation programme can help you manage the side effects of hormone therapy with exercise, nutrition, sleep and mental wellbeing support, with a coach to keep you on track. See how digital rehabilitation works.
Related pages
- Exercise on hormone therapy
- Joint pain on aromatase inhibitors
- Menopause symptoms caused by treatment
Everyone’s treatment is different, so talk to your cancer team about what is right for you.
References
- Breast Cancer Now. Hormone (endocrine) therapy. breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/treatment/hormone-endocrine-therapy
- Breast Cancer Now. Menopausal symptoms and breast cancer. breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/treatment/hormone-endocrine-therapy/menopausal-symptoms-and-breast-cancer
- Mann E, Smith MJ, Hellier J, et al. Cognitive behavioural treatment for women who have menopausal symptoms after breast cancer treatment (MENOS 1): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet Oncology. 2012. doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(11)70364-3
- Irwin ML, Cartmel B, Gross CP, et al. Randomized exercise trial of aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia in breast cancer survivors. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2015. doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2014.57.1547
- Breast Cancer Now. Joint and muscle pain during breast cancer treatment. breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/treatment/hormone-endocrine-therapy/joint-and-muscle-pain-during-breast-cancer-treatment
- Macmillan Cancer Support and Big Health. Free Sleepio for people with cancer. www.sleepio.com/macmillan
- NHS. NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression. www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/nhs-talking-therapies/
- Breast Cancer Now. Breast cancer and osteoporosis. breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/treatment/breast-cancer-and-osteoporosis
- Campbell KL, Winters-Stone KM, Wiskemann J, et al. Exercise guidelines for cancer survivors: consensus statement from international multidisciplinary roundtable. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2019;51(11):2375–2390. doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000002116