Treatment choices follow the tumour’s biology — its receptors, growth speed and stage — as well as your own health and preferences. Two people with breast cancer can receive quite different plans.
Families of treatments
- Surgery: removal of the tumour (lumpectomy or mastectomy)
- Radiation: targeted high-energy rays
- Chemotherapy: drugs that kill fast-growing cells
- Hormone therapy: blocking the hormones that fuel cancer
- Targeted therapy: drugs aimed at specific cancer molecules
- Immunotherapy: helping your immune system fight back
Treatments can be given before surgery (neoadjuvant) to shrink a tumour, after surgery (adjuvant) to clear any stray cells, or as the main treatment for advanced disease. The plan evolves as your team learns more about your cancer.