Androgen deprivation therapy

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a type of medicine that doctors give to people with certain types of cancer, like prostate cancer. To understand ADT, we need to first know what androgens are. Androgens are hormones (chemical messengers) that are made in our bodies that help boys develop into men. They make things like facial hair grow and make our voices sound deeper.

But sometimes, having too many androgens can cause problems. In the case of prostate cancer, too many androgens can make the cancer grow and spread faster. So doctors use ADT to stop the body from making these hormones. ADT is like a blocker that stops androgens from working.

There are different types of ADT. Sometimes, doctors give you a shot or implant that works for a few months or even years. It's like a time-release medicine that your body slowly absorbs. Other times, doctors might give you pills to take at home.

When you take ADT, it might make you feel different. Some people have hot flashes or changes in their mood. But the important thing is that it can help slow down the cancer and sometimes even shrink it.

So, doctors sometimes use ADT to help people with prostate cancer stay healthy and live longer.