Working with your doctor to choose a breast cancer treatment protocol can be stressful and overwhelming. You should know as much as possible before making any serious treatment decisions. Here are some options that might be right for you and that you should consider asking your doctor about.
Surgery
If your breast cancer is caught early enough, you may be able to get rid of it by undergoing surgery. The simplest form of breast cancer surgery is a lumpectomy, also referred to as breast conservation therapy. This involves removing the cancer lump that is present and surrounding tissue where cancer cells could have spread to.
Some side effects of getting a lumpectomy could take place, including temporary swelling, wound infection, and a slight change in the shape or size of the breast. Radiation therapy may be administered after surgery to kill off any remaining cancer cells that might have been left behind during surgery.
Chemotherapy
This is a common form of treatment for breast cancer that is quickly developing or rapidly spreading. Chemotherapy drugs can be used to kill cancer cells throughout the entire body by traveling through the blood system. Chemotherapy can also be used to target cancer cells in one specific area, like in the breast. This type of treatment can be administered on its own or with a combination of other treatment options to cure your cancer.
If chemotherapy is chosen to treat your breast cancer, your doctor will create a unique protocol that is tailored to your specific condition and needs. The protocol can last anywhere from a few days to multiple months, depending on the severity of your disease and the other types of treatments you are undergoing. Unfortunately, chemotherapy can cause serious side effects like nausea, vomiting, hair loss, a weakened immune system, and a susceptibility to infections and illnesses.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is another treatment option that can be used to fight off breast cancer if the cancer cells have hormone receptors and use progesterone or estrogen to grow. This type of therapy can involve the use of multiple hormonal drugs to balance hormones and stop them from feeding the cancer cells.
Hormone therapy is typically used after surgery (sometimes for several years) to remove cancer and to help ensure that the cancer cells left behind don't continue to multiply. If the cancer is completely eradicated during surgery, hormone therapy can keep cancer from coming back. Some side effects that might be experienced when taking hormone therapy include hot flashes, headaches, nausea, and blood clots.
To learn more about breast cancer treatments, contact a doctor.
Share1 September 2020
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