Hormone Therapy for Cancer at Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center - POCC Cancer Institute

You may be able to resume your normal activities and work the next day after you receive the hormone medications or when you do not feel any symptoms that interfere with your ability to perform your daily activities. If you undergo surgery to remove the gland responsible for hormone production, you may need to take 4 weeks off work and avoid any strenuous activities, such as intense exercise, for 6 to 8 weeks.

Hormone therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence if performed along with other cancer treatments. It is also effective way to put cancer patients in remission, however, the treatment has some side effect and risks, such as hot flashes, fatigue, nausea, joint or muscle pain, blood clots, cataracts, stroke, heart disease, osteoporosis, erectile dysfunction (in men), as well as vaginal irritation, vaginal discharge, and vaginal dryness (in women).