Breast cancer treatment starts with the process of examining your breast tissue and determining whether you have dense breast tissue or not. If you have dense breast tissue, radiation is a relatively safe option that can shrink your breast tissue and reduce its volume. However, if you have non-dense breast tissue, stereotactic body radiation therapy could be a viable option for treating your condition.
What is the Treatment Process?
The treatment process for a patient with breast cancer can be overwhelming. It starts with a diagnosis. A doctor will then order a physical examination and any necessary tests, such as mammograms, sonograms, and biopsies. Once the diagnosis has been made, the doctor will start working to reduce the size of the tumour. This is done with surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. The goal of treatment is to shrink the tumour until it is no longer visible on mammograms or ultrasound imaging.
Types of Breast Cancer
There are three types of breast cancer - in situ, invasive, and inflammatory. In general, breast cancer can be treated with surgery or chemotherapy. However, some advanced cancers may require radiation or a combination of treatments.
What are the Side Effects of Treatment?
A few of the side effects of cancer treatment are fatigue, loss of appetite, and low blood pressure. Some people may also experience memory problems and heartburn while on chemotherapy. The process of breast cancer treatment is a difficult and painful one, but some side effects are temporary and others are permanent. Many of the side effects are due to the medications that are used to reduce the risk of recurrence. These side effects include difficulty sleeping, fatigue, pain, sores in the mouth, and saliva problems. As for other treatments, many women find out that chemotherapy can cause hair loss and lead to infertility.
How Long Does Breast Cancer Last?
Breast cancer treatment is a long period of time and can involve a number of different procedures. It is important to remember that even if cancer has been removed, there are still many other treatments to endure. Some of these treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and hormone therapy.
What to Expect Once You're Diagnosed
Once you are diagnosed with breast cancer, it is important to know what to expect from your treatment. The process of breast cancer treatment varies according to the type of treatment you are receiving and what your individual needs are.
How do I Get Help for My Symptoms and Special Concerns
The main goals of breast cancer treatment are to reduce recurrence risk, improve survival rates and increase the quality of life. There are many different types of treatments that can be used, including chemotherapies, radiation therapy, surgery, and other methods. It is important to talk to your doctor about the best course of treatment for your specific case.
Tips for Breast Cancer Survivors
Breast cancer is a complex and challenging disorder that, unfortunately, can have a devastating impact on the lives of those who are diagnosed. Because of this, women should be aware of their treatment options. For example, some treatments may help with symptoms of breast cancer while others are designed to prevent recurrences. It is important to focus on prevention in addition to treatment.