HR+ [also called hormone receptor positive]
((AYCH ARE POS-it-iv))
Breast cancer cells that have hormone receptors. These receptors are special proteins that the hormones estrogen and progesterone bind to. Breast cancer cells that are HR positive depend on estrogen and progesterone to grow. Hormonal therapy blocks the receptors or reduces the amount of hormones that can get into the receptors. As a result, the cancer cells shrink or die.
Read more about hormone receptor status.
Audio contributed by: Kelly Clarkson