Types of hormonal therapy

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Ovarian suppression

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Ovarian suppression is surgery, radiation therapy or medicine that is used in premenopausal women to stop the ovaries from working.

Many women are diagnosed with breast cancer that is hormone receptor-positive, meaning it grows because of the hormones estrogen, progesterone, or both.

Ovarian suppression stops the ovaries from producing these hormones. When paired with a hormonal therapy medicine called an aromatase inhibitor, it can significantly lower a woman’s risk of breast cancer recurrence.

Look below for more information from LBBC about ovarian suppression.

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Reviewed and updated: November 5, 2019

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Living Beyond Breast Cancer is a national nonprofit organization that seeks to create a world that understands there is more than one way to have breast cancer. To fulfill its mission of providing trusted information and a community of support to those impacted by the disease, Living Beyond Breast Cancer offers on-demand emotional, practical, and evidence-based content. For over 30 years, the organization has remained committed to creating a culture of acceptance — where sharing the diversity of the lived experience of breast cancer fosters self-advocacy and hope. For more information, learn more about our programs and services.