Treatment for breast cancer

The main treatments for breast cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. Your treatment depends on a number of factors such as how big the cancer is and whether it has spread. 

Most people begin their breast cancer treatment with surgery. Find out about the different types of surgery for breast cancer, how to prepare for your operation, and how to recover well.

Radiotherapy is a common treatment for breast cancer. It uses high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. 

Chemotherapy uses anti cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. The drugs circulate throughout the body in the bloodstream. It is a common treatment for breast cancer. 

Hormones can stimulate breast cancer cells to grow. Hormone therapy can block or lower the amount of hormones in the body. There are a number of different types of hormone therapy for breast cancer. One of the most common types is tamoxifen.

Targeted cancer drugs work by targeting the differences in cancer cells that help them to grow and survive. Immunotherapy uses our immune system to fight cancer. Find out about having targeted drugs and immunotherapy for breast cancer.

You may have regular follow up after your treatment for breast cancer. This is to check how you are and see whether you have any problems or concerns. In some hospitals, you can arrange follow up appointments when you need them. 

Sometimes breast cancer comes back after having treatment to try to cure it. This is recurrent or relapsed breast cancer. Find out about symptoms and treatment.

Breast cancer can affect you in different ways. Read about controlling symptoms of breast cancer and who can help.