Hormonal therapies are commonly prescribed in women with invasive breast cancer because they reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back. Hormonal therapies are only effective in women whose cancer cells have receptors for oestrogen on their surface. This is known as being oestrogen-receptor positive (ER positive). DCIS can have oestrogen receptors in its cells and tamoxifen may be suggested as a possible treatment. But because doctors don’t know enough about the benefits of hormonal therapies in DCIS, they are only usually given in a research trial.

Experiences of ‘Hormone Therapy’ can be found in the Healthtalk Breast Cancer section.

Last reviewed July 2017.
Last updated July 2017.