Breast cancer treatment
If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, your doctor will discuss your treatment options with you. Treatment options for breast cancer depend on the stage of the cancer, the type of cancer, and other factors, such as your age and overall health.
Breast cancer treatment options
Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can be an overwhelming and emotional experience. It's important to know that you are not alone in this journey, and there is a team of healthcare professionals ready to guide you through the process. Understanding the steps that follow a diagnosis can help you feel more prepared and empowered as you embark on your treatment plan.
Treatment for breast cancer is tailored to each patient's specific situation, considering factors such as the stage of cancer, overall health, and personal preferences.
Your medical team will carefully explain the benefits and potential side effects of each treatment option, ensuring you have all the information you need to make the best choices for your health.
Treatment options typically include:
- Surgery
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Targeted therapy
What different breast cancer treatments involve
Surgery. This is a common treatment for breast cancer, and the type of surgery recommended will depend on the extent of the cancer. Options may include:
- Lumpectomy: Removal of the tumor and a small margin of surrounding tissue
- Mastectomy: Removal of the entire breast
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy: Removal of a few lymph nodes to check for cancer spread
Radiotherapy. This typically utilises high-energy radiation beams to target and destroy cancer cells. It is often used after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence
Chemotherapy. This involves the administration of powerful drugs to destroy cancer cells throughout the body. It may be recommended for certain types of breast cancer or when there is a risk of the cancer spreading
Hormone therapy. This is used for hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers, where hormones like estrogen and progesterone fuel cancer growth. Medications are used to block these hormones, slowing or stopping the cancer's progression
Targeted therapy. Targeted therapy is a newer approach that uses drugs designed to target specific molecules or pathways within cancer cells, interfering with their growth and survival
When to see a doctor
It is important to note that not all breast lumps are cancerous. In fact, most breast lumps are benign (non-cancerous). However, it is always best to have any new or unusual breast lumps checked by a doctor.
You should see a doctor if you notice any of the following breast cancer symptoms:
- A new lump or thickening in your breast or armpit
- A change in size, shape or feel of your breast
- Skin changes in the breast such as puckering, dimpling, a rash or redness of the skin
- Fluid leaking from your nipple in a woman who isn't pregnant or breastfeeding
- Changes in the position of your nipple
- Breast pain
Get more trusted information about breast cancer
- Breast cancer symptoms
- Breast cancer diagnosis
- Breast cancer treatment
- Treatment side effects
- Breast cancer recovery
About us
Cancer Support UK is a registered charity that operates across the UK, providing practical and emotional support to those living with and beyond cancer. We provide Cancer Kits to those who are currently receiving treatment for cancer, and our Cancer Coach programme supports people who have had cancer as they recover from the trauma of diagnosis and treatment.
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