Treatments for hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer

Metastatic breast cancer has different subtypes, one of which is hormone receptor-positive (HR+). HR+ breast cancers can be positive to oestrogen (ER positive), progesterone (PR positive) or both.

Knowing the hormone receptor status helps your treating team create the best plan.

Several types of treatment are available. In most cases, treatment starts with hormone-blocking therapy, with a targeted therapy.

Hormone-blocking therapies

Hormones, particularly oestrogen, can encourage the growth of HR+ metastatic breast cancer.

The aim of hormone-blocking therapies is to block the effect of oestrogen on breast cancer cells. Once you start treatment, you continue until:

• the drug is no longer effective
• the side effects are too much for you.

Multiple types of hormone blocking therapies are available. The first type of treatment you have is called 'first line' treatment. Once that stops working, or causes you too many side effects, you often go onto another treatment. This may be another hormone blocking treatment, or a completely different type of treatment. This is called second-line treatment. You will have one treatment after the other, and usually this controls the cancer for a number of years.

Read more:

• Hormone-blocking therapy for metastatic breast cancer
• Hormone-blocking therapy for men with metastatic breast cancer
• About hormone-blocking therapy.

Targeted therapies

Targeted therapies are newer treatments. They can target and attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells.

Your doctor may add these to your treatment plan to make the hormone-blocking therapies work longer. This can improve outcomes for you.

Read more:

• Targeted therapies for metastatic breast cancer
• About targeted therapies.

HER2-positive targeted therapies

Breast cancer can also be HER2-positive and HR+ (triple positive). Your treatment may include chemotherapy and a HER2 targeted therapy, such as Perjeta or trastuzumab.

Read about HER2 targeted therapies.

Chemotherapy

If doctors are concerned your cancer may soon cause problems, they may recommend chemotherapy, to gain control quickly.

Support during treatment

You may have times where you are very well and able to travel, work and fully take part in ‘normal’ life. At other times, you may be unwell and struggle to do things you would normally do. Talk to your treating team about any support you need.

Our Online Network has a group for people living with metastatic breast cancer.  You can ask questions, learn from other people’s experiences and share your story in a safe place.

Friends, family, and others may try to give you advice about your treatment. They might be surprised, confused or worried that something isn’t in your treatment.

Remember: your treatment is specific to your individual situation. Ask your medical oncologist to help you understand what they recommend.

Resources

Video: Feeling invisible: life with metastatic breast cancer

Video: New and emerging treatments for metastatic breast cancer