Breast Cancer Treatment Options

A great deal has changed in recent years, and many advances have been made in breast cancer treatment. There are now a variety of treatments available to people with breast cancer, which is improving both recovery rates and quality of life for many. Surgery: Used in early stage breast cancer treatment to remove operable tumors, surgery is still one of the key forms of treatment for breast cancer. Most other treatments come into play when surgery is not an option, or after surgery, to prevent a cancer from coming back.
Chemotherapy: There are currently over a dozen chemo medications for breast cancer, which are used in combinations called regimens. Since everyone responds differently, it may take a few tries to find the regimen that works best for an individual. In early stage breast cancer treatment, chemotherapy is used after a tumor is gone to prevent it coming back. In advanced stage breast cancer treatment it is used to shrink tumors, and is effective for around 45% of patients.
Radiation therapy: Contrary to popular belief, radiation therapy has very few side effects, though the name ‘radiation’ can be a bit scary these days. Radiation therapy kills cancer cells, and is usually used after surgery to make sure no cancer is left. Use of radiation therapy reduces the chance of cancer returning by up to 70%
Hormonal therapy: Some types of breast cancer grow more quickly when exposed to estrogen. Since women’s bodies produce a lot of estrogen, hormonal therapy was developed to reduce the amount of estrogen in the blood, and slow the growth of these cancers. Hormonal therapy can also be used after a tumor is removed to keep the cancer from returning. Hormonal therapy for breast cancer treatment is different from hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms.
Targeted therapies: There are three targeted therapies for breast cancer. These therapies work by interfering with the way cancer cells live and grow. Some prevent cancer cells from absorbing proteins they need, or block the growth of blood vessels in tumors. Targeted therapies should not be used by women who are pregnant.
Holistic and Complementary therapies: While holistic and complementary therapies have not shown any direct effect on tumors, they can be very effective in treating the symptoms of cancer, and side effects of other cancer treatments. It’s important to talk with a doctor before starting any of these therapies, and find a qualified therapist with experience in treating cancer patients.