Finding out that you have breast cancer can be distressing and devastating. With proper treatment, however, life can ease back to normal. It will help if you make informed decisions about treating breast cancer since treatment is not reversible, and you would want to feel like you made the best choices after treatment.
Breast cancer is more common in women, although it also affects men. One gets cancer when cells in the breast grow out of control. There are several types of treatment for breast cancer. Here are some things you must understand before getting cancer treatment.
1. The Type of Breast Cancer You Have
The type of breast cancer is determined by the cells affected in the breast. Breast cancer can be in situ or invasive. In situ, cancer starts in the milk duct and has not spread to other breast tissues. Invasive cancer refers to cancer that has spread to other tissues in the breast. Some invasive types of cancer are aggressive and can be difficult to treat, affecting their treatment and outlook.
2. The HER2 Status of Your Cancer
Breast cancers that are HER2 positive tend to be more aggressive—this type of cancer tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. The presence of HER2 influences treatment recommendations and decisions greatly. Treatments that target HER2 are very effective, and the prognosis for breast cancer that is positive for HER2 is pretty good.
3. Types of Treatment of Breast Cancer
There are different ways to treat breast cancer. Doctors can perform surgery to cut out the cancer tissue, use chemotherapy to shrink or kill the cancer cells, or use hormonal therapy to prevent cancer cells from getting hormones they require to grow. Biological therapy and radiation therapy are also alternatives to treat breast cancer.
4. Stage of Your Cancer
It is important to understand the stage of your cancer before starting breast cancer treatment. Breast cancer stages are commonly expressed as a number on a scale of 0 to IV. Stage 0 describes cancers that remain the location they started from and stage IV describing cancer that has spread to other locations.
5. Duration of the Treatment
You need to understand the duration of your method of treatment in order to plan accordingly. For example, in the early stages of breast cancer, chemotherapy treatments last for three to six months. Advanced cancer treatments can go on for more than six months.
It would be best if you understood the risks and side effects of the treatment of breast cancer and the possible outcomes. Long term side effects of breast cancer include;
• Infertility
• Heart problems
• Lymphedema
• Dental issues
• Fatigue
• Bone loss and osteoporosis
• Sexual difficulties
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Headaches
• New cancers
A patient must understand these risks and side effects before beginning treatment for breast cancer and find appropriate support.
6. Educate Yourself
It is essential to educate yourself about your condition on relevant information in order to make informed decisions about treatment options. Talk to breast cancer survivors while keeping in mind that what works for another person might not work for you. You can find information about breast cancer on sites like The American Cancer Society.
Being informed before getting treatment of breast cancer is essential as it will allow you to make informed choices, and it also enables you to ask the right questions to the medics treating you. You will also know what to expect, good or bad outcomes, and how to cope with the healing journey.
