Treatment

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Breast Cancer Treatment

Starting your treatment

After your diagnosis, your treatment might not start right away. You cancer doctor might need to carry out further tests to learn about the cancer you have. These tests are called 'staging' tests. It might involve a scan or a biopsy and may take a few days to complete. Staging is very important as it will find out more whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body or not, and provides some clues about which kind of treatments are likely to work.

Once your cancer specialist knows the stage of your cancer, you may have a choice of treatments. Your cancer specialist and nursing team will talk to you about the kind of treatments you can have, and what might be best for you.

Having breast cancer nowadays is completely different to even 5 years ago. The medical advances have been incredible and so many other treatments are now available. Your oncologist is a very important person in your cancer journey as they decide what treatment you will be getting and in what order.

Get in Touch

If you would like to ask any questions or would like us to get in touch with you, please use the form below and we will do what we can to help.

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Types of treatment available

There are four main types with a further three becoming more frequently used which are highlighted below:

Chemotherapy

Radiotherapy

Hormone therapy

Surgery

Biological therapy

Bone marrow transplants

Clinical trials

It is important to remember that each breast cancer is different and that’s why it is necessary for the wide variety of treatments. It depends on a lot of factors so you do not need to question why your treatment is different from the person next to you. Your oncologist will have gathered every piece of information about you and will base your treatment on all the information provided, type of breast cancer you have, hormone receptors, age, weight as well as other things.

Questions to ask: About your treatment

What tests and treatments are there?

What do the tests and treatments involve?

Are there any other kinds of treatments available?

What choice of treatment will i have?

What are the benefits of each treatment option?

What are the risks and side effects of each treatment?

How experienced are you and your team in this kind treatment?

Will my treatment affect my work/education?

Will my treatment change the way i live?

Will i need some help to look after my family?

Can i still have sex?

How can i tell my family and friends?

How long will the treatment last?

How do i know i'm getting the best treatment?

Do other people my age get cancer?

Questions to ask: About your treatment

During your treatment

How can i tell if my treatment is working?

What happens when my treatment finishes?

What can i do to help myself?

Is there anything, like certain foods or activities, i should avoid?

Who can i talk about what food i should eat?

If you are a parent

How can i make sure my daughter/son gets the best treatment and support?

Will my daughter /son be treated with older people or be with young people?

What should i tell my other children?

Will our other children need help?

Can i talk to other parents of young people with cancer?

Where will my son/daughter be treated?