Treating breast cancer
This section describes the range of treatments you may be offered if you have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Although we refer to 'women' throughout the text, most of the information applies also to men who have been diagnosed with the disease. Breast cancer is not just one single disease. There are several types of breast cancer. It can be found at an early or advanced stage of development. It can grow very slowly or very rapidly, or somewhere in between. It can be sensitive or insensitive to some or all of the treatments available.
It is difficult to predict what course the disease will take. Factors such as your age, as well as any other illnesses you may have had, will all be considered by your specialists when they are working out the best treatment for you. The 'best treatment' may involve surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or hormone therapy, either given alone or in any combination or order.
Your personal priorities may influence the treatment you de
cide to have. Your particular life situation, your family and work commitments will all influence the choices you make. This is one reason why it is helpful for you to be well informed at the start so that you can discuss your wishes with your doctors when they are planning your treatment. We hope this section will give you enough information to be able to discuss your treatment fully, and be aware of some of the side effects that may occur.
You will see that we refer throughout this section to 'your doctors'. It is now recommended that treatment for breast cancer is best carried out by a team of specialists who share their views and their expertise as they consider each case. For this reason it is important that your GP refers you to a specialist breast unit from the start. If your local hospital doesn%u2019t have such a complete team of specialists you can ask to be referred to a specialist breast unit elsewhere.
Most hospitals have a breast care nurse who is a very important member of the team of specialists. There should be opportunities for you to discuss your treatment options with the breast care nurse or your doctors, and to raise any issues or concerns. You can also ring our free helpline to get up-to-date information and support from our specially trained nurses. They won't tell you what to do, but they will help you consider your options and suggest questions you may want to take back to your doctors. Similarly, after treatment, our helpline nurses and volunteers are there to discuss any concerns you may have.
For a comprehensive guide to the treatments available see the Breast Cancer Care site.
All information supplied by Breast Cancer Care
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