Treatment

Choosing your doctor

Choosing your doctor

Working with a doctor to guide your breast cancer treatment decisions is key.  Determine what you need to do to cultivate a positive partnership with your doctor and when it might be prudent to seek a second opinion.

Standard treatment vs. Clinical trials

Standard treatment vs. Clinical trials

Before selecting your breast cancer treatment plan, it’s a good idea to understand the difference between standard treatment and clinical trials so you can make an informed decision about what is right for you.

Surgery

Surgery

The most common form of treatment for breast cancer is surgery. This involves removing the tumor and nearby margins. Surgical options may include a lumpectomy, partial mastectomy, radical mastectomy, and reconstruction.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a breast cancer treatment method that uses a combination of drugs to either destroy cancer cells or slow down the growth of cancer cells.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It affects the nearby skin or cells only in the part of the body that is treated with the radiation.

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy

If the cancer cells have hormone receptors, you may be prescribed hormone therapy drugs, such as blockers or inhibitors. Both types of drugs help to destroy cancer cells by cutting off their supply of hormones.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy uses drugs that block the growth of breast cancer cells in specific ways, often reducing side effects.

Nutrition and physical activity

Nutrition and physical activity

It's important for you to take very good care of yourself before, during, and after breast cancer treatment.