Hormones are natural chemicals moving through the bloodstream until they reach a target organ delivering instructions telling that organ exactly how to behave.
They control many things such as your growth your metabolism, your immune system, and even it might determine your mood.
This post looks at the sex hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone and how they can impact cancer risk in people with hormone-sensitive or hormone-dependent cancers. These include certain types of breast, ovarian, endometrial, and prostate cancer.
It is important to remember. Not all cancers are fueled by hormones.
Tumors with either estrogen or progesterone receptors are considered hormone-receptor-positive. Tumors without the receptors are called hormone-receptor-negative. These hormone receptors act like antennae that listen to signals from hormones to “turn on” the receptor, causing the cancer cell to grow and spread.
Once the hormone receptor status is known, different treatment options are discussed. Interestingly, most men with breast cancer are hormone-receptor-positive, allowing them to respond to hormone therapy treatment better.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help regulate hormones and can reduce cancer risk.
This content is provided for your general education and information only. It does not necessarily reflect Belong’s views and opinions. Belong does not endorse or support any specific product, service, or treatment
