Breast Cancer Care: Personalized Treatment Options Explained
Breast cancer treatment is complex and personalised. A biopsy and genetic tests guide the choice among surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Each option has benefits and risks, so discussing them with the care team is crucial.
Breast cancer treatment often involves a combination of therapies, tailored to factors like cancer stage, tumor grade, hormone receptor status, and genetics. Surgery may be the first step, with options including lumpectomy (breast-sparing surgery) and total mastectomy. Chemotherapy can be used before or after surgery, or as the main treatment, to destroy cancer cells anywhere in the body. Hormone therapy is effective for about 65% of breast cancers that are hormone receptor-positive, aiming to starve cancer cells of hormones that fuel their growth.
Targeted therapies target specific proteins or characteristics of cancer cells, helping to stop their growth and spread. The HER2 status of your breast cancer cells indicates whether the tumor cells express high levels of the HER2 protein, which affects growth speed and treatment options. HER2-positive tumors can be treated with targeted HER2 antibody therapies like trastuzumab, reducing relapse risk especially in early stages. Immunotherapy boosts the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, with immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting checkpoint proteins to turn the immune system back on. Radiation therapy targets high doses of radiation directly to cancer sites, helping to destroy any remaining cancer cells and lower the chance of recurrence.
Breast cancer treatment isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. It's important to consider the specific characteristics of the cancer and the individual's preferences. A breast biopsy and genetic testing provide crucial information for determining the best course of treatment, which may involve a combination of therapies.
