Feb 18, 2020

On this episode, Dr. JYP talks hormone therapy with Dr. Teja Poosarla, a medical oncologist at USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute. Hormones can aid the growth of cancer cells; so adding, blocking or removing a patient's hormones can help cure or prevent the spread and the recurrence of certain cancers, especially breast and prostate cancers. Dr. Poosarla explains how this use of systemic drugs delivered to the body instead of the cancer cells directly, can be a powerful and effective cancer treatment option. Plus, listeners can learn about the tests needed to determine treatment, the drugs frequently used, and the most common side effects of this cancer treatment option.

Key Takeaways:

> Hormone therapy is an important tool used to treat patients who have cancer, especially breast and prostate cancers.

> Hormone therapy is not just reactive to cancer; it can also be proactive for patients who know that they are at an increased risk.

> Have an educated discussion with your physicians even before the development of breast cancer to know if you are eligible for hormone therapy.

The Docs Said:

If you are at a high risk of breast cancer, or have a strong family history of breast cancer, talk with your doctor to see if you're eligible for hormone therapy to help prevent breast cancer. - Dr. Teja Poosarla
 
Most people believe that hormone therapy is not a real cancer therapy because it seems to be so benign, and it doesn't have the side effects that you would think of with chemotherapy. - Dr. Teja Poosarla
 
Taking birth control pills can decrease your risk for ovarian cancer by up to 50 percent. - Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce
 
Hormone therapy is an excellent weapon in our arsenal, and it's a great tool that we have to fight cancer. - Dr. Teja Poosarla

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The Cancering Show is brought to you by USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute at the University of South Alabama. MCI is a cutting-edge cancer research and treatment center built to fight cancer smarter in Mobile and Baldwin counties in Alabama. Our researchers and clinicians focus daily on the struggle against cancer, serving a potential catchment population of more than 4.1 million people, with a singular focus of advancing cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention throughout the Gulf Coast and beyond with science, technology and hope.

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Mitchell Cancer Institute is a member of USA Health.

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