Just like with other forms of cancer, there is no one treatment for breast cancer. The common goal of the treatments is aimed at removing as much of the cancer cells as possible and keeps the disease from recurring. The type of treatment best suited to an individual depends on many factors including age, stage of detection, size of the tumor and the patient’s personal preferences. The common treatments for breast cancer are:

Surgery
Surgery to treat breast cancer is known as a mastectomy or a lumpectomy. A mastectomy refers to surgery to remove the entire breast while the latter refers to a more conservative surgery that removes only the tumor and surrounding tissue. Surgery is one of the most common treatments for breast cancer and is usually advised in the early stages of the condition.

Radiation
Radiation treatment involves using high-energy x-rays to destroy the cancer cells. Radiation can be broadly classified as external-beam radiation therapy and intraoperative radiation therapy. The latter refers to radiation treatment that is given from a machine placed outside the body while the latter refers to radiation delivered through a probe placed inside the body. External-beam radiation is amongst the more common treatments for breast cancer.

Radiation is often given in combination with other types of treatment. For example, it may be given before surgery to shrink the size of a tumor or after surgery to get rid of any remaining cancer cells.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is amongst the most common treatments for breast cancer. It involves administering powerful medicines that can kill the cancer cells without affecting the other healthy cells. This medicine keeps the cancer cells from growing and reduces the risk of recurrence. Like radiation, it may be given before or after surgery. The exact schedule for chemotherapy and the medication prescribed varies from patient to patient. Patients may often receive a combination of medicines. Chemotherapy is associated with many side effects including nausea, hair loss, fatigue, and early menopause.

Hormone Therapy
This form of treatment involves taking drugs that control the production of hormones that aid in the growth of cancer cells. These drugs typically target estrogen levels. In some cases, surgery may also be conducted to keep the ovaries from producing this hormone. Hormone therapy administered before surgery is known as neoadjuvant hormonal therapy. When administered after surgery it is known as adjuvant hormonal therapy.

Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy can be described as a treatment that helps the body’s immune system fight and kill the cancer cells. It targets cells with high levels of HER2 protein. Targeted therapy may be prescribed in the advanced stages of breast cancer. It may be administered by itself or in combination with chemotherapy and hormone therapy. These drugs may be administered orally or intravenously.

When it comes to treating breast cancer, it is important to recognize that along with the common treatments for breast cancer, the patient also needs psychological support. It is very important for breast cancer patients to have a close set of friends and family that they can rely on.