Treatment

Today, many options are available for treating breast cancer.  Almost all of them involve surgery to remove the primary tumor.  Many patients also receive radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy or some combination of these.  Your treatment will depend entirely on your circumstances and the specific characteristics of your breast cancer.  These factors are explained in the Just Diagnosed section and include the type of cancer, its stage and grade, and its molecular and hormonal status, as well as your age, overall health, and menopausal status.

The goal of breast cancer treatment is to remove the entire primary tumor and to prevent the cancer from recurring or spreading (metastasizing) to other parts of the body.   If the cancer has already metastasized, the goal becomes controlling it for as long as possible. 

Understanding that breast cancer is not a single disease is important.  It is a group of diseases that share some characteristics, which can differ greatly in behavior and response to various treatments.  Some breast cancers are very slow-growing; while others are more aggressive, growing and spreading rapidly.  The recommendations the doctors make about your treatment will be based on your tumor characteristics and individual circumstances.

The topics in this section will help you understand and navigate the treatment options available today: