Treating breast cancer often requires a multi-faceted approach tailored to the individual’s specific situation.
Here are some common remedies used in the management of breast cancer:
1. Surgery: Surgery is often the first line of treatment for breasts cancer. The type of surgery depends on the size and location of the tumor, as well as other factors. Common surgical options include lumpectomy (removal of the tumor and a small margin of surrounding tissue) and mastectomy (removal of the entire breast). In some cases, lymph nodes may also be removed to determine if cancer has spread.
2. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves the use of powerful drugs to destroy cancer cells or shrink tumors. It may be used before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) to reduce the size of the tumor, after surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy) to kill any remaining cancer cells, or as the primary treatment for advanced or metastatic breasts cancer.
3. Radiation Therapy:
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells or prevent them from growing. It is often used after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells in the breast, chest wall, or lymph nodes. Radiation therapy may also be used to relieve symptoms in cases of advanced breast cancer.
4. Hormone Therapy: Hormone therapy, also known as endocrine therapy, targets hormone receptors on cancer cells that rely on estrogen and/or progesterone to grow. Hormone therapy may include medications such as tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, or ovarian suppression therapy to block the effects of estrogen or reduce its production.
5. Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy drugs specifically target cancer cells while sparing healthy cells. Examples of targeted therapy drugs used in breast cancer treatment include trastuzumab (Herceptin) and pertuzumab (Perjeta), which target HER2-positive breasts cancer, and CDK4/6 inhibitors such as palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib, which target certain proteins involved in cell growth.
6. Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy works by stimulating the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. While not yet widely used in breast cancer treatment, immunotherapy drugs such as pembrolizumab and atezolizumab may be used in certain cases, particularly in metastatic breasts cancer that is triple-negative.
7. Clinical Trials:
Clinical trials offer access to new and experimental treatments for breast cancer. Participation in clinical trials helps advance medical knowledge and may provide patients with access to promising therapies not yet available to the general public.
In addition to these medical treatments, lifestyle modifications such as maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, avoiding alcohol and tobacco. And managing stress can also play a supportive role in breast cancer treatment and overall well-being. It’s important for individuals diagnosed with breast cancer to work closely with their healthcare team. To develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses their unique needs and goals.
Pingback: Breast Lumps, Understanding Causes - SimplExplainer