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Breast Cancer In Situ: Managing Your Medical Care: Diagnosis To Treatment Decision

Treatments Available For Breast Cancer

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Which treatment will be recommended depends on the type of breast cancer you have and the stage. Treatments which are available for each type of breast cancer by stage are described in lay terms in a variety of sources on the internet. Keep in mind that, in addition to these treatments, cutting edge treatments may be available through a clinical trial. (Some clinical trials are not available if you had a specific other treatment. If you are interested in a particular trial, check the eligiblity criteria before setting another treatment.)

When you research a treatment (particularly on the Internet), always consider the reliability and source of the information as well as whether the information provider has a self interest.

Keep in mind:

  • Statistics only refer to groups of individuals historically and do not tell what will happen to you or any other individual. 
  • By its nature, research literature will always be behind the current state of treatment.
  • Any specific cases cited are usually extremes.
  • What happens to you will be unique to your specific set of circumstances. 

Even if the odds are a million to one, learn to approach your situation as if you are the one. 

Write down all questions that come up during your research so you can ask your doctor about them.

If research tends to increase your stress levels, ask a family member or friend to do it and to tell you what you need to know. Alternatively, you can hire a medical research service for a fee to do the work for you. Research services will take the details of your situation, search the literature, and prepare a report for you. For more information, see "To Learn More."

If you are pregnant, recommended treatments may be different than if you were not pregnant.

A few reputable sources for breast cancer treatment information which are kept up-to-date are:

Survivorship A to Z provides a tool that helps you to compare treatments side by side so that you can evaluate which works best for your lifestyle and values. Please see the link in "To Learn More." 

If there are no standard treatments available for your situation, consider joining a clinical trial. Clinical trials are tightly regulated. The drugs are usually free. Your case will usually be supervised by a team of medical professionals. There may also be treatments to explore in foreign, developed countries. Watch out for fraudulent treatments. (Please see "To Learn More.")

So called "alternative treatments" should only be considered to be complimentary to western medicine, not instead of. There is no scientific proof that alternative treatments work to cure breast cancer by themselves.

NOTES: 

  • Not all cancer treatments harm fertility. However, if the treatment you may receive does include a risk of infertility, fertility preservation treatments are available. The earlier you discuss your options, the greater the chance of maintaining your fertility.
  • If you want to share what you learn about your cancer and treatment(s) with family and friends, consider using the American Cancer Society Circle of Sharing offsite link 

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