Treatment for breast cancer in women

Main treatments for breast cancer

The treatment you'll have for breast cancer depends on:

• the size and type of breast cancer you have
• where it is
• if it has spread to other parts of your body
• your general health

The main treatment for breast cancer in women and people with breasts is usually surgery. Other common treatments include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, treatment with hormones (hormone therapy), and targeted medicines and immunotherapy.

The specialist care team looking after you will:

• explain the treatments, benefits and side effects
• work with you to create a treatment plan that is best for you
• talk to you about how treatment may affect you, for instance if there are any side effects

You'll have regular check-ups during and after any treatments. You may also have tests and scans.

If you have any symptoms or side effects that you are worried about, talk to your specialists. You do not need to wait for your next check-up.

Surgery

Surgery is usually the main treatment for breast cancer. The type of surgery you may have depends on you how big the cancer is and if it has spread.

Surgery for breast cancer can include:

• removing only the area of your breast with cancer in it (sometimes called breast-conserving surgery)
• removing the whole breast (mastectomy)
• removing lymph nodes in your armpit – these are small glands that are part of the body's immune system

If you've had a mastectomy you may choose to have breast reconstruction, where the surgeon makes a new breast.

This can sometimes be done at the same time as the mastectomy, or you can have another surgery.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses radiation to kill cancer cells.

You may have radiotherapy for breast cancer:

• after surgery to lower the chance of the cancer coming back
• if you have secondary breast cancer to help control your symptoms

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells.

You may have chemotherapy for breast cancer:

• before surgery to help make the cancer smaller
• after surgery if the cancer has spread to your lymph nodes or is growing quickly
• either before or after surgery if you have certain types of breast cancer
• if you have secondary breast cancer to help make the cancer smaller and control your symptoms

Hormone therapy

Some breast cancers are affected by different hormones in the body, which can make them grow faster.

Hormone therapy uses medicines to either:

• lower the amount of certain hormones in the body
• block certain hormones from getting to breast cancer cells

Hormone therapy may be used:

• before surgery to help make the cancer smaller
• after surgery to lower the chance of the cancer coming back
• if you have secondary breast cancer to help control your symptoms
• if you are not able to have surgery

Targeted medicines and immunotherapy

Targeted medicines kill cancer cells.

Immunotherapy is where medicines are used to help your immune system kill cancer.

Targeted medicines and immunotherapy may be used:

• before surgery to help make the cancer smaller
• after surgery to lower the chance of the cancer coming back
• if you have secondary breast cancer to help control your symptoms
• if you are not able to have surgery

What happens if you've been told your cancer cannot be cured

If you've been diagnosed with secondary or advanced breast cancer, it may be hard to treat and not possible to cure.

The aim of treatment will be to slow down the spread of the cancer, to help with the symptoms, help you feel better and help you live longer.

This can help many people live a normal life for a number of years.

Finding out cancer cannot be cured can be very hard news to take in.

You'll be referred to a team of doctors and nurses called a symptom control team or palliative care team.

They will help you to manage your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable.

The palliative care team can also help you and your loved ones get any other support you need.