Hormonal breast cancer agents: implications for the primary care provider.
OBJECTIVE
Over 2 million breast cancer survivors are in the United States, making women with breast cancer the largest group of cancer survivors. The purpose of this article is to review the current knowledge regarding survivorship issues in women with early-stage, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, focusing on advances in hormonal therapies for reducing risk of recurrence.


METHODS
Published research studies, clinical treatment guidelines, and ongoing clinical trials.


CONCLUSIONS
Innovations in antiestrogenic and estrogen modulator therapies are an important aspect of ongoing care after primary breast cancer treatment. Primary care providers may play an important role in monitoring potential complications of antiestrogenic treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
This article reviews the current state of the science in hormonal breast cancer agents for breast cancer survivors. With the high incidence and prevalence of breast cancer, primary care providers need to be aware of the potential short- and long-term health risks and benefits of hormonal therapies for breast cancer survivors.
Lyon
Debra E
DE
School of Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. delyon@vcu.edu
Roux
Gayle
G
Voll
Sandra
S
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing*; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000451:nursing; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000451:nursing; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators