Medication
Unless you are a minor or are deemed medically incompetent in a court of law (situations that rarely occur with breast cancer), no one but you can determine what is or what is not in your best interest—even if you decide that the best treatment for your breast cancer is no treatment at all.
Procedures
Most people would consider it "normal" to want to seek treatment for breast cancer the moment you are diagnosed, particularly at a time where survival rates are ever-increasing. But this would also infer that not seeking treatment is "abnormal," and that's rarely the case.
Therapy
Treatment of Breast Cancer Stages I-III 1 Surgery. 2 Radiation therapy. 3 Adjuvant systemic therapy (chemo and other drugs). 4 Local therapy (surgery and radiation therapy). 5 Neoadjuvant and adjuvant systemic therapy (chemo and other drugs). 6 ... (more items)
Nutrition
Once your doctor has diagnosed your breast cancer, he or she works to establish the extent (stage) of your cancer. Your cancer's stage helps determine your prognosis and the best treatment options. Complete information about your cancer's stage may not be available until after you undergo breast cancer surgery.
Can I decide what is the best treatment for my breast cancer?
Is it normal to not seek treatment for breast cancer?
What are the stages of breast cancer treatment?
What happens after breast cancer is diagnosed?
What is the best treatment for early breast cancer?
Surgery. Surgery is usually the first step in treating early breast cancer. You may have mastectomy (the entire breast is removed) or lumpectomy (only the tumor and some surrounding tissue are removed).
What is generally the first line treatment for breast cancer?
The first-line treatment for advanced hormone receptor-positive (estrogen receptor-positive or progesterone receptor-positive) breast cancer is usually hormone therapy. Current front-line therapy is typically an aromatase inhibitor (anastrozole, letrozole, or exemestane) in combination with a CDK 4/6 inhibitor.
What type of breast cancer does not need chemo?
The new findings suggest that at least 70 percent of women with HR-positive, HER2-negative, axillary lymph node-negative breast cancer—those with low scores and most of those with mid-range scores—can safely avoid chemotherapy.
Is it better to have a mastectomy rather than a lumpectomy?
Lumpectomy and mastectomy procedures are both effective treatments for breast cancer. Research shows there is no difference in survival rate from either procedure, though lumpectomy has a slightly higher risk of recurrent cancer.
Do you need radiation for Stage 1 breast cancer?
Stage 1 is highly treatable, however, it does require treatment, typically surgery and often radiation, or a combination of the two. Additionally, you may consider hormone therapy, depending on the type of cancer cells found and your additional risk factors.
Is it better to be HER2-negative?
In normal cells, HER2 helps control cell growth. Cancer cells that are HER2 negative may grow more slowly and are less likely to recur (come back) or spread to other parts of the body than cancer cells that have a large amount of HER2 on their surface.
What stage of breast cancer requires a mastectomy?
A mastectomy may be a treatment option for many types of breast cancer, including: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or noninvasive breast cancer. Stages I and II (early-stage) breast cancer. Stage III (locally advanced) breast cancer — after chemotherapy.
Which is harder on the body chemo or radiation?
Since radiation therapy is focused on one area of your body, you may experience fewer side effects than with chemotherapy. However, it may still affect healthy cells in your body.
When is chemo not recommended?
Your oncologist may recommend avoiding chemotherapy if your body is not healthy enough to withstand chemotherapy or if there is a more effective treatment available.
What are the disadvantages of a mastectomy?
Disadvantages of mastectomy you have permanent removal of your breast. if you have breast reconstruction the surgery takes longer and it can take some months to recover. you usually have 1or 2 smaller operations after a reconstruction (to match the reconstruction to your other breast as much as possible)
When do you choose a mastectomy?
The breast cannot safely tolerate additional radiation if there is a recurrence in the same breast after lumpectomy. This is true for either a recurrence of the same cancer, or for a new cancer. If you have a second cancer in the same breast, your breast surgeon will usually recommend that you have a mastectomy.
Is radiation better than mastectomy?
Lumpectomy Plus Radiation Offers Better Survival Rates Than Mastectomy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer. Lumpectomy plus radiation therapy offers better survival rates than mastectomy — with or without radiation — for women who are diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. May 18, 2021.
Which Treatments Are Used For Breast Cancer?
There are several ways to treat breast cancer, depending on its type and stage.Local treatments: Some treatments are local, meaning they treat the...
How Is Breast Cancer Typically Treated?
Most women with breast cancer will have some type of surgery to remove the tumor. Depending on the type of breast cancer and how advanced it is, yo...
Who Treats Breast Cancer?
Doctors on your cancer treatment team might include: 1. A breast surgeon or surgical oncologist: a doctor who uses surgery to treat breast cancer 2...
Making Treatment Decisions
It’s important to discuss all of your treatment options, including their goals and possible side effects, with your doctors to help make the decisi...
Help Getting Through Breast Cancer Treatment
Your cancer care team will be your first source of information and support, but there are many places you can get more help if you need it. Hospita...
Diagnosis
Treatment
Clinical Trials
Alternative Medicine
Specialist to consult
Coping and Support
Preparing For Your Appointment
- Your doctor determines your breast cancer treatment options based on your type of breast cancer, its stage and grade, size, and whether the cancer cells are sensitive to hormones. Your doctor also considers your overall health and your own preferences. Most women undergo surgery for breast cancer and many also receive additional treatment after sur...