Treatment for breast cancer depends on several factors, including the type and stage of the cancer, your overall health, and personal preferences. Your doctor will help determine the right approach, explain the potential risks, benefits, and side effects, and work with you to create a treatment plan that best fits your needs.

Surgery

Surgery is one of the most common breast cancer treatments. It involves removing the cancerous tissue, and often the sentinel lymph node—the first node where cancer is likely to spread from the primary tumor.

There are two main surgical options for breast cancer:

Breast-Conserving Surgery (Lumpectomy): Removes the tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue, but keeps most of the breast intact.
Total Mastectomy: Removes the entire breast affected by cancer.

Radiation

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells or prevent them from growing.

External Radiation Therapy: A machine outside the body directs radiation to the cancer site. This is the most common type used for breast cancer.
Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy): Delivers radiation directly inside or near the cancer through needles, wires, or catheters. It may also be used to help relieve bone pain when breast cancer spreads to the bones.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells. The medicine may be given:

Intravenously (IV) through a vein
Orally in pill form

Chemotherapy travels through the bloodstream, reaching cancer cells throughout the body. It may also be given before surgery (called neoadjuvant therapy) to shrink a tumor and make removal easier.

Hormone Therapy

Some breast cancers grow in response to hormones like estrogen or progesterone. Hormone therapy, also called endocrine therapy, blocks the body’s production or use of these hormones to slow or stop cancer growth.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances to specifically attack cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells. A biomarker test can help determine if a person’s cancer will respond to this type of treatment.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively. This treatment may be recommended for certain types of breast cancer.

Clinical Trials

Some patients may choose to participate in clinical trials, where researchers test new treatments or combinations of therapies. Clinical trials can offer access to innovative therapies and contribute to advancing breast cancer research.

Help Us Find the 1 in 8

In the United States, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. Early detection saves lives — scheduling regular mammograms is one of the best ways to catch breast cancer early when treatment is most effective.

Encourage another woman you know to schedule a mammogram today. Together, we can make a difference.

Schedule a Mamogram

What are the treatment options for breast cancer?