Treatment Options for Breast Cancer

The treatment options for breast cancer include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, targeted therapy, and hormone therapy. Each of these treatment therapies depends on the type and stage of breast and they all play an important role in managing breast cancer.

Knowing each of these treatments will help patients make important decisions that will give them better results. 

In this article, we will cover each treatment therapy, the prognosis and survival rate of breast cancer, support, and resources.

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR BREAST CANCER

1) Radiation therapy

Source: BBC

This is also called Radiotherapy. It is the use of high radiation energy to kill cancerous cells. It damages the Cancer DNA inhibiting its growth. Different types of radiation that can be used include 

Brachytherapy involves implanting a radioactive material directly into the breast tumour. 

Systemic Radiotherapy involves using radioactive materials to travel through the bloodstream to get to the cancerous cells. 

External beam radiotherapy, according to the name, involves the use of a machine to transmit radiation to breast tumours. 

Radiation therapy can also be used to treat other cancers such as lung, prostate, cervical or brain cancer.

2) Chemotherapy

Source: Lung Cancer Center

This involves the use of drugs to kill cancerous cells. It can be combined with other therapy treatments, like surgery or radiotherapy. Some different types of chemotherapy used include systemic chemotherapy, which involves the use of injections to administer drugs that will then travel through the blood to kill the cancer cells. Adjuvant chemotherapy is given after surgery to eliminate any cancer cells remaining. It is done to reduce the risk of a recurrence. It can also be used to treat other kinds of cancer.

3) Immunotherapy

Involves boosting the body’s immune system to fight against cancerous cells. Some types of immunotherapy include drugs, like monoclonal antibodies that are given to attach to the proteins in cancer cells which will lead to them being destroyed. Cytokines can also be used to boost the body’s immune system to fight against cancer. It is administered to a patient based on the type and stage of cancer.

4) Hormonal therapy

Source: Substack

Involves interfering with the body’s hormones to stop the growth of cancerous cells. Some drugs like Tamoxifen, letrozole, and raloxifene are being given to stop the effect of estrogen in breast tissue. Hormone therapy is being given based on the hormone sensitivity status of the cancer cells. 

5) Targeted therapy

This is a specialized therapy that is targeted at a particular abnormality in cancerous cells. The drugs are meant for specific abnormalities that can trigger cancer growth. The monoclonal antibodies are an example of such drugs targeted at a specific abnormality.

6) Surgery

This involves the removal of the whole breast (mastectomy ) or lump (lumpectomy). It is highly effective even though it carries some complications like bleeding, blood clots, and infection. Performing surgery is also dependent on the type and stage of cancer. Some types of surgery employed include Debulking surgery which involves reducing tumor size without complete eradication. Curative surgery involves removing the whole tumour and tissues to cure it. Palliative surgery is done by reducing the tumour size to minimize pain.

7) Integrative therapies

Source: Columbia University Department Of Pediatrics

Integrative therapy involves approaching breast cancer with complementary or alternative medicine. Some of these include; the mind-body process involving practices such as meditation which helps to reduce stress, and make the body relaxed. 

Nutritional therapy involves a balanced diet which can improve well-being during breast cancer treatment. A diet rich in vegetables, lean protein, and fruits, e.t.c 

Exercise and massage can also improve well-being during breast cancer treatment. Participating in support groups or counselling sessions offers emotional support and other support where necessary. 

It is safe to discuss with a healthcare specialist at Synlab to ensure that this approach is suitable as it may depend on the type and stage of cancer.

8) Follow-up care

This includes healthy lifestyle recommendations by a healthcare specialist, addressing the emotional needs of breast cancer patients, explaining the importance of self-examination, and encouraging breast cancer survivors to become advocates.

SUPPORT AND RESOURCES

Here are some of the support and resources for breast cancer patients.

1) Counseling

Offering counselling sessions to cancer patients to help alleviate depression, fear, anxiety, and coping challenges related to breast cancer.

2) Financial assistance programs

Support could be financial such as offering grants that will help alleviate medical expenses, transportation, and others.

3) Advocate programs

It could be school outreach or community outreach to educate the masses on breast cancer, encourage individuals to volunteer as advocates to make a difference and raise and provide support for cancer patients

Source: Infectious Agents and Cancer

4) Seminars/Workshops

Collaborating with healthcare professionals, advocates, and survivors to organize seminars and workshops on topics related to breast cancer, such as its signs and symptoms, prevention, and early detection. This will help to create awareness.

5) Curriculum

Breast Cancer as a topic in the school curriculum will help to enlighten students on what they need to know. It’s signs and symptoms, prevention and early detections, treatment options available, and resources. It will serve as a resource for individuals to take their breast health seriously.

6) Online Communities

Creating online communities for people with breast cancer or survivors, where they can connect and share their experiences and opinions.

7) Support groups

Having physical or virtual support groups where individuals can connect with their peers and get to hear their views.

8) Educational materials

This could be in the form of brochures, magazines, or fliers. This would help to keep patients and even the masses informed about breast cancer. It could also be available in different languages for easy accessibility.

IN CONCLUSION:

The treatment options for breast cancer, from Surgery, Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, targeted therapy, etc., offer cancer patients a personalized approach to care.

Breast cancer remains a worldwide health challenge and together we can stand to ensure that every individual affected with breast cancer gets the support and resources they need, from counselling sessions, advocacy programs, and financial grants to support groups. With frequent check-ups, it can be achieved as we all strive to fight against or alleviate breast cancer.