Treatment FAQ

what treatment is best for breast cancer

by Peter Stamm Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How Is Breast Cancer Treated?
  • Surgery. An operation where doctors cut out cancer tissue.
  • Chemotherapy. Using special medicines to shrink or kill the cancer cells. ...
  • Hormonal therapy. Blocks cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow.
  • Biological therapy. ...
  • Radiation therapy.

Medication

Which natural treatments can help people with breast cancer?

  • Acupuncture. Acupuncture may relieve nausea and vomiting following chemotherapy. ...
  • Massage therapy. Massage therapy is the process of manually stimulating the tissues in the skin and muscles. ...
  • Tai chi and qi gong. ...
  • Biofeedback. ...
  • Reiki. ...
  • Diet. ...
  • Supplements. ...
  • Cannabis. ...
  • Holistic therapies. ...
  • Medical treatment for breast cancer. ...

More items...

Procedures

  • AC → T: Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel or docetaxel
  • TC: Docetaxel and cyclophosphamide
  • EC: Epirubicin and cyclophosphamide
  • TAC: Docetaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide

Therapy

Breast-conservation therapy (BCT), lumpectomy, axillary lymph node sampling, and postoperative RT are recommended as the standard of care for patients of all ages with early breast cancer. Studies of elderly women have found that they also prefer BCT over mastectomy, and BCT is often associated with better quality of life.

Nutrition

What Is Breast Cancer, You Ask?

  • Signs And Symptoms Of Breast Cancer. There are numerous signs helping you easily identify the symptoms of breast cancer. ...
  • Possible Causes. What causes breast cancer? ...
  • Risk Factors of Breast Cancer. Like causes, there are many risk factors that can exacerbate this cancer. ...
  • Major Treatment Available. ...

What is the best natural cure for breast cancer?

What are the best medications for breast cancer?

Which is the best therapy for breast cancer patients?

What is the most common treatment for breast cancer?

See more

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What is the most common treatment for breast cancer?

If you have any new health problems between checkups, you should contact your doctor. 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.

What is the number one treatment for breast cancer?

Surgery is the main treatment for stage I breast cancer. But if you will need radiation therapy after surgery, it is better to wait to get reconstruction until after the radiation is complete.

Can breast cancer be cured completely?

There is no “natural” cure for breast cancer. Medical treatments are necessary to remove, shrink, or slow the growth of tumors. That said, you may use certain complementary therapies and lifestyle changes alongside standard medical treatments to help: control symptoms of breast cancer.

What is the best treatment for early stage 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).

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.

What are the newest treatments for breast cancer?

Palbociclib (Ibrance), ribociclib (Kisqali), and everolimus (Afinitor) have all been approved by the FDA recently for use with hormone therapy for treatment of advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

Does breast cancer spread fast?

Speed of breast cancer growth can be influenced by these factors: Breast cancer sub-type. In general, triple-negative and HER2-positive tumors tend to grow more rapidly, while hormone receptor-positive breast cancers tend to be slower moving.

Where does breast cancer spread first?

The lymph nodes under your arm, inside your breast, and near your collarbone are among the first places breast cancer spreads. It's “metastatic” if it spreads beyond these small glands to other parts of your body.

Can you cure breast cancer without chemo?

A federally funded study has found that many women with the most common type of early stage breast cancer likely do not need chemotherapy after surgery.

Is chemo needed for stage 1 breast cancer?

Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is not usually offered for stage 1 breast tumours. It may be offered after surgery (called adjuvant therapy) for these tumours if there is a high risk that the cancer will come back (recur). Find out more about the risk of breast cancer recurrence and adjuvant therapy.

At what stage of breast cancer the breast is removed?

Larger tumors in later stages can spread to muscle, skin and lymph nodes around the breast. Surgery for stage three and stage four cancer generally requires removing the entire breast and nearby tissue affected by the cancer.

How soon do you start treatment for breast cancer?

Waiting between 31 and 90 days to first treatment after diagnosis with breast cancer may be beneficial for doctors and patients who want a more extensive diagnostic plan and additional time to make decisions, according to the results of a new study.

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What is the best test for breast cancer?

Tests and procedures used to diagnose breast cancer include: Breast exam. Your doctor will check both of your breasts and lymph nodes in your armpit, feeling for any lumps or other abnormalities. Mammogram. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Mammograms are commonly used to screen for breast cancer.

How long does radiation treatment last for breast cancer?

Breast cancer radiation can last from three days to six weeks, depending on the treatment. A doctor who uses radiation to treat cancer (radiation oncologist) determines which treatment is best for you based on your situation, your cancer type and the location of your tumor.

How to determine if a breast lump is a solid mass or a fluid filled cyst?

Ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of structures deep within the body. Ultrasound may be used to determine whether a new breast lump is a solid mass or a fluid-filled cyst. Removing a sample of breast cells for testing (biopsy). A biopsy is the only definitive way to make a diagnosis of breast cancer.

How does a doctor determine breast cancer?

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.

What is the procedure for breast MRI?

The table slides into the large opening of the MRI machine. Tests and procedures used to diagnose breast cancer include: Breast exam.

What is a mammogram?

A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Mammograms are commonly used to screen for breast cancer. If an abnormality is detected on a screening mammogram, your doctor may recommend a diagnostic mammogram to further evaluate that abnormality. Breast ultrasound.

Why is chemotherapy given before surgery?

The goal is to shrink a tumor to a size that makes it easier to remove with surgery. Chemotherapy is also used in women whose cancer has already spread to other parts of the body.

How is breast cancer treated?

Breast cancer is treated in several ways. It depends on the kind of breast cancer and how far it has spread. People with breast cancer often get more than one kind of treatment. Surgery.

What is the best treatment for cancer?

Hormonal therapy. Blocks cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow. Biological therapy. Works with your body’s immune system to help it fight cancer cells or to control side effects from other cancer treatments. Radiation therapy. Using high-energy rays (similar to X-rays) to kill the cancer cells.

What is radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy. Using high-energy rays (similar to X-rays) to kill the cancer cells. Doctors from different specialties often work together to treat breast cancer. Surgeons are doctors who perform operations. Medical oncologists are doctors who treat cancer with medicine.

What is complementary medicine?

Complementary and alternative medicine are medicines and health practices that are not standard cancer treatments. Complementary medicine is used in addition to standard treatments, and alternative medicine is used instead of standard treatments. Meditation, yoga, and supplements like vitamins and herbs are some examples.

What is clinical trial?

Clinical Trials. Clinical trials use new treatment options to see if they are safe and effective. If you have cancer, you may want to take part. Visit the sites listed below for more information.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Clinical Trials

Alternative Medicine

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Khutaija Bano
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Treatment is primarily based on the type and stage of cancer.
Medication

Chemotherapy: Drugs may be recommended before or after the surgery to reduce the mass size and prevent spread or recurrence.

Capecitabine . Carboplatin . Doxorubicin . Vinorelbine


Hormone therapy: Drugs used in hormone therapy help in regulating the proliferation of hormone sensitive cancer cells and prevent the production of hormones or reduce their action.

Raloxifene . Tamoxifen . Fulvestrant . Leuprolide

Procedures

Lumpectomy: The entire tumor mass and some of the surrounding healthy tissues are removed.

Mastectomy: Removal of the entire breast tissue, sometimes including the nipple and the pigmented area around it.

Breast reconstruction: May be considered using implants or one’s own tissues.

Therapy

Radiation therapy:- Uses high-powered energy rays to destroy cancer cells. - Can be done using a machine or by implanting a radioactive material inside the tumor mass.

Nutrition

Food to eat:

  • Foods rich in fiber such as whole grains, beans and legumes
  • Foods rich in vitamin D like beef liver, cheese and egg yolk
  • Low fat dairy products and milk
  • Foods with anti-inflammatory properties like spices

Foods to avoid:

  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Foods with high sugar content like sodas, candies and sweets
  • Foods with high fat content like fried food, crackers and processed food
  • Red meat

Specialist to consult

Oncologist
Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Breast surgeon
Specializes in surgery of the breasts for benign and malignant breast diseases.

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 surgery, such as che…
See more on mayoclinic.org

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