Treatment Options

There are many treatment choices for women who are diagnosed with breast cancer.  Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biological therapy are the primary choices for treatment.  Complementary and alternative therapies are gaining wide use as well.  Many women will have more than one treatment. 

Your choice of treatment will largely depend on which stage your cancer is in.  Overview information is throughout this website. Your doctor will be able to explain treatments to you, and the side effects and expected results. 

Questions

Start right now making a complete list of questions for your doctor.  Every time you see information that stimulates a question in your mind, write it down.  Organize it.  THEN ABSOLUTELY get them all answered prior to accepting any therapy.

Cancer treatments are split into two therapies.  Local therapy and systemic therapy are used for different stages of breast cancer. 

• Local therapy is used when the cancer has not spread to other areas of the body.  Surgery and radiation are local therapy treatments. 

Systemic therapy is chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biological therapy.  They enter the bloodstream and destroy cancer cells throughout the body.  Some women will have this therapy before surgery to shrink the tumor before the operation, or will have it as a follow-up of the surgery.  This may keep the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. 

Side effects are common but may not be the same for each person.  Treatments will affect your each body differently and can change from treatment to treatment.  Before you start treatment, ensure that your doctor fully explains the treatment and the possible side effects.