Breast Cancer Treatment Plan

Progress in treatment and early detection has led to improved survival for people of all ages and races, and with all stages of breast cancer. Between 1990-2013, breast cancer mortality (death) declined by 37 percent among women in the U.S., avoiding about 249,000 deaths. Because the rate of new cases of breast cancer has stayed about the same, and breast cancer mortality has declined, we continue to see a large and growing number of breast cancer survivors.

Breast cancer treatment

The goal of treating early breast cancer is to get rid of the cancer and keep it from coming back. Treatment for early breast cancer includes some combination of:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Hormone therapy
• Targeted therapy

These treatments are designed to remove the cancer from the breast and destroy any cancer that might still be in the body.

Your breast cancer treatment plan

Your breast cancer treatment plan is based on both medical and personal choices. It is tailored to:

• Your specific breast cancer (the biology of the tumor)
• The stage of the breast cancer
• Your overall health, age and other medical issues
• Your personal preferences

Because of the differences between tumors and between people, your treatment plan may differ from another’s, even though you both have breast cancer. Each treatment option has risks and benefits to consider along with your own values and lifestyle.

Click here to learn more about the different treatment plans for breast cancer.

SOURCE: Susan G. Komen Foundation