There are many different types of treatment for breast cancer, as the disease itself varies so much.
Surgery
Surgery may involve removal of the breast (mastectomy), removal of the lump (lumpectomy), wide local excision (removal of the tumour and some of the surrounding tissue) and quadrantectomy (about one quarter of the breast is removed). If the cancer is invasive some or all of the lymph nodes will be removed. There are between 20 and 30 lymph nodes in the armpit so it is usual for at least some of them are removed to check for any involvement.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is used to destroy the cancer cells by interfering with their ability to divide and grow. There are many chemotherapy drugs working in different ways at different phases of cell growth. A combination of chemotherapy drugs may be used, together with surgery and radiotherapy.
Sometimes chemotherapy is given before surgery to slow down the growth or to shrink the cancer. Chemotherapy is also given three or four weeks after surgery when the patient has been able to get over the surgery. If the lymph nodes have been found to have been affected the patient would most certainly be offered chemotherapy. Chemotherapy treatments are usually over a period of four to six months and every two to four weeks. Chemotherapy can sometimes be given on an out-patient basis. Some side effects from chemotherapy are bruising or bleeding, sore mouth, nausea and vomiting, hair loss, poor appetite and lowered resistance to infection. Side effects from chemotherapy can usually be helped with medicine.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is the use of high energy x-ray beams to destroy the cancer cells. Radiotherapy takes place in the radiotherapy department as is given in short treatments. The course of the treatment may be between 2 to 6 weeks and usually Monday to Friday, some patients will have a different length of treatment.
Radiotherapy is painless and does not touch you during the treatment, but some patients will feel some discomfort later. Some patients will experience tiredness and will need support with their daily lives.
Hormonal Therapies
This type of treatment is usually given after surgery and radiotherapy to try to reduce the risk of breast cancer returning.
Tamoxifen – is used to prevent oestrogen in the body attaching to breast cancer cells and encouraging them to grow. Tamoxifen is usually taken for five years.
Aromatase inhibitors – work by reducing the levels of oestrogen in the body and are used only in postmenopausal women.
Zoladex – works by reducing the amount of oestrogen stimulating hormones by the brain.
Anastrozole – can be used by women who are postmenopausal with hormone-responsive breast cancer and are unable to take tamoxifen. Anastrozole works by interfering with the female hormone oestrogen.