NMIC Bulletin Vol.30 No. 1 Breast Cancer And Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy
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16 April, 2024
Breast cancer is common and associated with high survival rates; many patients treated with curative intent will go on to receive adjuvant endocrine therapy for at least 5 years
Adverse effects associated with endocrine therapey (e.g. aromatase inhibitors and tamoxifen) potentially affect the patient's quality of life and adherence to treatment; stratagies to tackle these adverse effects may improve patients outcomes.
Considerations for the overall health of patients include optimising bone health, protecting cardiometabolic health, counselling on family planning and promoting the reduction of harmful lifestyle factors
Prescribing practices for this group of patients include developing an awareness of common drug interactions, lifelong avoidance of the use of systemic oestrogen or progesterone hormonal therapies (under specialist advice only) and caution around medications which can cause dependency and addiction issues, and medications associated with renal impairment
