Breast cancer is a disease that causes the formation of cancerous cells (malignant) in the tissues of the breasts. Family history of the disease is an important risk factor for breast cancer. Other risk factor includes an inherited gene mutation can lead to breast cancer. However, with the advancements in the medical field, treatments have been developed to control the cancer-causing gene mutation. Women aged 30 years and above are more prone to this disease. The disease can be identified by various symptoms like inverted nipples, lump/s in the breast/s, and nipple discharge.

How to make the right treatment decisions?

• One should not hesitate to discuss the treatment plan with the doctor. For this reason, it is important to choose a doctor who understands the patient’s needs and is easy to communicate with.
• It is important to know understand the treatment goals and side effects. With the help of the doctor, the patient and the family can take decisions regarding the combination of treatments that best fits the patient’s needs.

Who all are a part of the treatment team for breast cancer?

• A radiation oncologist, a specialized therapist or physician, who uses ionizing radiation treatment for breast cancer.
• A surgical oncologist or a breast surgeon, who performs surgery to remove lumps for treating breast cancer.
• A medical oncologist, who has special training in diagnosing and treating breast cancer using chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, biological therapy and radiation treatment.
• A plastic surgeon trained in replacing, reconstructing, or repairing tissues.
• Alongside the doctors, the patient’s treatment team also includes psychologists, nurses and nurse practitioners, and social workers.

What is the local treatment for breast cancer?

• The local treatment treats the tumor without causing any damage to the patient’s body. It removes cancerous cells which are spread in a limited area, such as the chest wall, lymph nodes in the underarm area, and the breasts.
• This treatment also ensures that cancer does not come back.
• The local control treatment for breast cancer begins with a biopsy, mastectomy or lumpectomy, axillary node dissection or sentinel node biopsy.
• If the cancer is a bit more advanced radiation treatment for breast cancer is conducted.
• The local treatment for breast cancer is a very important stage of primary cancer treatment as it eliminates residual cancerous cells that increase the risk of perennial ipsilateral disease.

What is the systemic treatment for breast cancer?

• Patients who have breast cancer that is rapidly spreading will require a type of systemic treatment.
• A systemic treatment makes use of drugs to treat breast cancer because it can kill cancer cells anywhere in the body.
• The drugs are given orally or injected directly into the bloodstream, this depends on the intensity of the cancer. In chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, two or more drugs are given in combination.
• Different combination of treatments can be used including chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and hormone and targeted therapy for breast cancer.
• Chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer has its own set of side effects. However, these side effects tend to go away once the chemo for breast cancer is stopped.

What is the common treatment approach?

• Treatments depend on the type of breast cancer, its stage, and other special conditions.
• The treatment planning consider factors including the patient’s personal preferences and overall health.
• The treatment varies for pregnant women.