Treatment is individualized
Two people with breast cancer may need very different treatment. Pathology results, hormone-receptor status, HER2 status, tumor size, lymph nodes, spread beyond the breast, age and overall health all matter.
Local treatments
Surgery may remove the tumor with surrounding tissue or remove the breast, depending on the situation. Radiotherapy is often used after breast-conserving surgery and sometimes after mastectomy to reduce the risk of local recurrence.
Medicines that treat the whole body
Chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, HER2-targeted therapy and immunotherapy are examples of systemic treatment. Which ones are useful depends on the cancer subtype and stage.
Supportive care matters too
Good cancer care also manages nausea, pain, fatigue, fertility concerns, menopausal symptoms, arm swelling, mental health and family stress. Ask the oncology team early about side-effect prevention and support services.
Questions worth asking
What type and stage of breast cancer is this? What are the treatment goals? What benefits and side effects are expected? Is fertility preservation relevant? Should genetic counseling be considered? Who should be contacted after hours if a problem occurs?