The Fight Against Breast Cancer: Understanding The Treatment Options

If you were recently diagnosed with breast cancer, you may not know what to do. You are likely feeling a mixture of emotions right now, including nervousness and fearfulness of what is to come. Although it is difficult to receive a cancer diagnosis, seeking out treatment right away could potentially save your life. There are a few different types of treatment options that may be offered to you to help fight this disease, so it is important to understand a bit more about each of those options.

Radiation Therapy

One of the most common treatments for breast cancer is radiation therapy. The radiation works on destroying those cancerous cells that are attempting to take over your body. The radiation is used to specifically target any tumors that are found in the breast. You may be wondering if this type of therapy will cause any unwanted side effects. The most common side effects include nausea, dry skin, and breast swelling. During therapy sessions you may feel exhausted, even if you have had a good night's sleep.

Although radiation therapy can cause some annoying side effects at times, it is a form of therapy that might be able to help you rid your body of those cancerous cells for good.

Surgical Procedure

A surgical procedure may be necessary to remove the tumor. Some women will need both the surgery and radiation treatment to remove the tumor and then destroy those cancerous cells that could be left behind. The sole purpose of the surgery is to get as much of the cancer out of the breast as possible.

There are different types of surgical procedures offered to women with breast cancer. For example, a surgeon may perform a lumpectomy. The process involves removing the tumor without removing too much tissue to conserve the shape and size of the breast. A mastectomy is a different type of surgical procedure. During the mastectomy, the cancer is removed, along with all of the breast tissue. If the cancer is spreading to the tissue, it may be necessary for you to get a mastectomy.

Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is frightening. However, it is important to know that different types of treatment options exist. These treatment options could potentially help you eliminate the cancerous cells from your body and ultimately overcome this disease. Surgery and radiation therapy are two of the most common methods of treatment. Before undergoing any specific type of treatment, make sure to talk it over with your physician and come up with a customized plan designed to help you battle this disease to the best of your ability.