Endocrine therapy is an important treatment for breast cancer. For patients with hormone positive receptors of breast cancer, 5 years of endocrine therapy can reduce the risk of recurrence and death within 15 years by 39%.
However, endocrine therapy for breast cancer is a long-term process. In this process, many patients will inevitably be troubled by its side effects, and their quality of life will be greatly reduced. Some patients may even stop taking drugs without authorization because they are "intolerable"
For the patients themselves, we should not only know the adverse effects of endocrine, but also know the corresponding countermeasures. Because only by managing the side effects, can endocrine therapy be maintained smoothly.
Side effects and coping strategies of endocrine therapy
Side effect 1 endometrial thickening
Tamoxifen is the main force of endocrine therapy drugs for premenopausal breast cancer patients. For patients with estrogen positive breast cancer, tamoxifen adjuvant therapy can reduce the annual recurrence rate of the disease by 39% and the annual mortality by 31%.
However, it can also lead to the incidence of endometrial polyps, endometrial dysplasia and endometrial cancer.
Coping strategies:
The first thing the patient needs to do is to confirm whether the endometrial thickening is caused by drugs. Because every menstrual cycle, the endometrium will undergo the process of thickening and then falling off. In view of endometrial thickening caused by endocrine therapy, it is recommended to monitor endometrial basic lesions before tamoxifen treatment; During the period of taking tamoxifen, gynecological examination should be carried out every 6-12 months to understand the thickness of endometrium and pay attention to it; During the treatment, pay attention to abnormal gynecological symptoms (vaginal bleeding or increased secretion), and patients with abnormalities should receive endometrial monitoring in time. (reference source: consensus of Chinese endocrine therapy experts for breast cancer)
At the same time, it is necessary to actively prevent endometrial cancer, including weight control, healthy diet, low-fat diet, regular exercise, control of diabetes, etc.
Side effect 2 osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a metabolic disorder characterized by decreased bone mass and increased bone fragility. Fracture is one of the most common complications of osteoporosis.
Some treatment methods for breast cancer can reduce the serum estrogen level of patients, leading to bone loss, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fracture events, such as bone mineral density decline, fracture and joint pain.
Fracture not only seriously affects the quality of life of patients with breast cancer, even endangers their lives, but also brings heavy economic burden to their families and society.
Coping strategies:
For patients without bone risk, bone mineral density should be tested regularly (e.g. every 6 months) during treatment, and calcium and vitamin D should be supplemented in time in life;
Bisphosphate should be considered to improve the patients with existing symptoms of poor bone mass.
At the same time, it is also suggested that breast cancer patients should increase physical exercise and avoid smoking and drinking to prevent bone related events such as osteoporosis.
Side effect 3 dyslipidemia
The changes of blood lipid level are often accompanied by endocrine therapy. Long-term abnormal blood lipid may affect the development and prognosis of breast cancer and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Coping strategies:
Adjust the diet structure, limit the intake of saturated fatty acids, trans unsaturated fatty acids, cholesterol, alcohol and sugar, and maintain or reduce weight through moderate intensity aerobic exercise and behavioral training (walking, jogging, swimming, dancing, cycling, etc.).
For patients with risk factors or with obvious abnormal blood lipids, lipid regulating drug treatment may be required under the guidance of professional doctors.
In addition, patients also need to regularly monitor blood lipids, especially postmenopausal breast cancer patients who are receiving aromatase inhibitors.
Side effect 4 tidal fever
Hot flashes are common in patients with breast cancer after surgery, radiotherapy and adjuvant treatment. Hot flashes are often accompanied by irritability, depression, forgetfulness, fatigue, fatigue, etc.
Of course, hot flashes are also common symptoms of menopause. Before treatment, it is necessary to clarify whether such symptoms are caused by menopause symptoms or drugs.
Coping strategies:
The simplest and natural non drug therapy for hot flashes is mainly relaxation therapy. Through deep breathing and muscle relaxation, the patient can reduce the tension of sympathetic nerve after complete relaxation, so as to improve.
At the same time, it is recommended that patients avoid eating spicy food, alcohol and caffeine, and seek medical treatment when the symptoms are serious.
Side effects 5 nausea, vomiting, rash and other side effects
In terms of diet, choose light, digestible and diversified food, eat a small amount of food and drink water each time
Coping strategies:
Many patients can generally tolerate these side effects. If the symptoms are serious, they can go to the hospital for drug treatment.
Kekejun reminds:
Tumor endocrine therapy is a method of tumor treatment by changing the secretion status in the body. However, endocrine therapy may lead to some side effects in patients. Of course, these side effects may not occur in every patient, but may occur when taking a certain drug.
After stopping the drug, the symptoms will gradually disappear. Therefore, in order to reduce the occurrence of side effects, patients receiving tumor endocrine therapy must take drugs under the guidance of doctors. The drug dosage should be accurate, and they should take it on time. They should not stop taking drugs arbitrarily.
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