What does ER positive and PR positive mean?

Hello,

I am sorry you had to join us!

ER positive and PR Postive means that your cancer cells were responsive to the natural hormones in your body, estrogen and progesterone. Your cancer needs those hormones to grow. But not to worry! There are now drugs that prevent cancer from living off your own hormones.

Tamoxifen, which is given to pre-menopausal women as well as post-menopausal ones, is the most well known.

If you are post-menopausal there are now even better drugs called aromatase inhibitors.

Both types of drugs stop the estrogen and progesterone in your body from "feeding" your cancer so your cancer can no longer grow. 

Women who are ER/PR + have protection with these drugs for years after their treatment is over, increasing their life expectancy and reducing their chances of recurrence.

I hope this helps.