Breast Cancer Network Australia
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Overview
The treatments you are offered will depend on many factors, such as type and stage of breast cancer.
Early and locally advanced breast cancer (stages 1-3) is usually treated with surgery. You may also have chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
Some of these treatments are also used for advanced breast cancer (stage 4).
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Early and locally advanced breast cancer
Treatment for early or locally advanced breast cancer varies from person to person. The treatment that is best for you will depend on your test results, where the cancer is in the breast, the stage and grade of the cancer, and whether the cancer is hormone receptor and/or HER2 positive or triple negative. Your doctor will also consider your age and general health, and your preferences.
Treatment for early and locally advanced breast cancer usually includes surgery. Before surgery, however, you may have other types of treatment to shrink the cancer. This is called neoadjuvant treatment.
Chemotherapy is often used before surgery. Radiation therapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy are also used to treat breast cancer.
Surgery
The type of surgery your doctor suggests will depend on the type and stage of the cancer, where it is in the breast, the size of your breast, and what you prefer.Radiation therapy
Also known as radiotherapy, radiation therapy uses a controlled dose of radiation to kill cancer cells or damage them so they cannot grow, multiply or spread.Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth.Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy, also called endocrine therapy or hormone-blocking therapy, slows or stops the effect of oestrogen.Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy drugs attack specific features of cancer cells to stop the cancer growing and spreading.Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.Advanced breast cancer
Treatments for advanced breast cancer, also known as metastatic breast cancer, aim to control the spread of the cancer and relieve symptoms.
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McGrath Foundation
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