Treatment

In general, there are five treatment options, and most treatment plans include a combination of the following: surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies. Some are local, targeting just the area around the tumor. Others are systemic, targeting your whole body with cancer fighting agents.

Choosing Your Doctor A breast cancer care team consists of several specialists of your choosing, including a medical oncologist, surgical oncologist, and more.

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

Radiation Therapy Radiation uses high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells. It is often used after breast cancer surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells.

Hormone Therapy Hormonal therapy uses drugs to block or lower the body's natural hormones in order to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancers.

Targeted Therapy Biologic targeted therapy uses drugs to attack or block the growth of breast cancer cells in specific ways, without harming normal cells.

Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment and How to Manage Them Each type of breast cancer treatment comes with unique side effects, many of which can be managed through collaboration with your care team.

Standard Treatment vs. Clinical Trials Standard treatments are approved methods to treat breast cancer. Clinical trials are research studies that may help improve treatments.

Physical Activity, Wellness & Nutrition Eating well and participating in physical activity during breast cancer treatment may help improve a patient’s overall physical and mental well-being.

Follow-Up Care Follow-up care through regular appointments with your care team can ensure that any changes in your health are noted and treated, if needed.

Bone Health Guide for Breast Cancer Survivors Bone health is important, no matter your age. Learn how to live a bone-healthy life and how breast cancer treatments can impact bone health.

Surgery

The most common form of treatment for breast cancer is surgery. This involves removing the ...Read More