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Breast Cancer Treatment


Factors Affecting Treatment Options

Treatment for breast cancer will depend on:

  • A woman's personal preference
  • Her overall health
  • The stage of the cancer, including whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes
  • The type of cancer and its aggressiveness
  • Whether she has gone through menopause
  • Whether the cancer she has depends on female hormones to grow. If it is "sensitive" to the female hormones, then the cancer is called estrogen-receptor positive, or "ER positive." If not, it is "ER negative." This can usually be determined by testing a tissue sample in the lab.
  • The presence of other markers suggestive of aggressive cancer behaviors




As a reminder, always consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment before starting any program.

By Daniel DeNoon
Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD.

SOURCES: WebMD Feature: "Breast Cancer: Answers to Your Questions." WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic: "Choosing the Right Breast Cancer Treatment." WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic: "Breast Cancer: Breast Cancer Treatment." WebMD Medical Reference: "Breast Cancer Hormone Therapy Q&A." WebMD Medical Reference: "Biological Therapy for Breast Cancer: Herceptin & Antibodies." WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic: "Bone Marrow Transplant for Breast Cancer Treatment." WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic: "Breast Cancer: Questions to Ask Your Breast Cancer Doctors." WebMD Medical Reference: "What Happens After Treatment for Breast Cancer? Your Follow-Up Checklist."