Breast cancer develops in the tissues that make up the lobular or ductal system of the breast. Undergoing a biopsy is crucial to diagnose the tumour that doctors suspect. Furthermore, defining the right treatment plan for the specific condition is equally important in fighting it.

This post will discuss the type of breast treatment plans that can be best for your condition.

What are the Different Types of Breast Cancer Treatment?

Breast cancer treatment plans vary depending on the cancer type one has. If an individual is diagnosed with breast cancer, it is necessary to undergo an accurate diagnosis. Breast cancer treatment in Australia offers the most advanced diagnosis and treatment plans. The treatment plans include the following:

Surgery for Breast Cancer

There are different types of breast surgery suggested by doctors that remove cancer, rebuild the structure and reshape breast appearance. 

The methods followed are:

• Mastectomy (including nipple-sparing mastectomy)
• Breast reconstruction surgeries
• Breast conservation

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays or particles to kill cancer cells. Doctors use the most advanced radiation therapy to treat cancer and protect healthy tissues. The different types of radiation therapies are:

• Brachytherapy
• 3-D conformal radiation therapy
• External-beam radiation therapy
• Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT)
• Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI)
• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)

Chemotherapy

During chemotherapy, doctors use drugs to destroy cancer cells and prevent them from growing and dividing. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is used before surgery to shrink large tumours and make surgery easier. Adjuvant chemotherapy is done after surgery to reduce recurrence risks. Here are the common drugs in these chemotherapies: 

• Paclitaxel (Taxol)
• Epirubicin (Ellence)
• Capecitabine (Xeloda)
• Docetaxel (Taxotere)
• Fluorouracil (5-FU)
• Cyclophosphamide (a generic drug)
• Methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)

Hormone Therapy

Tumours appearing in the breast are hormone sensitive. This therapy can eliminate or reduce breast cancer by inhibiting disease-causing hormones and enhancing healthy ones. While hormone therapy can be a treatment plan alone, doctors might often use it after surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. The types of hormone therapy are:

• Tamoxifen
• Aromatase inhibitors (AIs)
• Ovarian suppression or ablation

Immunotherapy

This therapy slows down the growth of cancer. It prevents cancer cells from spreading by preparing the body’s immune system to fight against it. Pembrolizumab is an immunotherapy that treats high-risk, early-stage, and triple-negative breast cancer. Doctors might combine it with chemotherapy before the surgery.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy slows down the spreading of cancer cells and targets specific cancer genes, proteins, or the tissue that fuels cancer growth. The types of targeted therapy include the following drugs:

• Trastuzumab
• Pertuzumab (Perjeta)
• Neratinib (Nerlynx)
• Ado-trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla)
• Bisphosphonates
• Olaparib (Lynparza)
• Abemaciclib (Verzenio)

What is the Right Care Plan After Breast Cancer Treatment?

Once done with breast cancer treatment, consult your surgeon at the private hospital in Adelaide where you received the treatment. Keep in touch with them to know more about the aftercare plan. The right aftercare plan following breast cancer treatment includes:

• Regular Doctor Visits 

Visit your doctor every 3 months for the initial 2 years after your treatment ends. After that, continue it every 6 months for 3 to 5 years. However, for the rest of your life, ensure annual visits. Your doctor will suggest regular mammograms after the breast cancer treatment.

• Routine Tests

If you had chemotherapy, you require regular blood tests to ensure your body has recovered from the condition. Thus, go for routine tests from time to time.

• Regular Self-Exams

Watch for any changes in the breast, including skin rashes, redness, swelling, new lumps, etc. In addition, pay attention to bone pain, back pain, prolonged tenderness, and shortness of breath or chest pain. Furthermore, do not ignore other conditions like persistent belly pain or extreme weight loss.

Reporting these conditions to the doctor is necessary to ensure you remain healthy. 

Conclusion

While taking breast cancer treatment in Australia, your primary care doctor will also keep a check on additional health issues that may arise. Besides this, taking care of your emotional and physical well-being is also important to enhance your quality of life.