Managing Breast Cancer: A Patient-Friendly Guide Breast cancer is a journey that involves many steps and decisions. This guide explains the main aspects of managing breast cancer in a clear, easy-to-read way, so you can feel more confident and informed about your care.
The Role of the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Breast cancer care involves a group of specialists called the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT). The MDT includes doctors, nurses, surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and support staff. They work together to plan and deliver the best treatment for each patient. This team approach ensures that all aspects of your care are considered, and you receive support at every step.
Four Main Treatment Modalities There are four main ways to treat breast cancer. Your MDT will help decide which options are best for you:
1. Chemotherapy Chemotherapy uses medicines to destroy cancer cells. It can be given before or after surgery, depending on your situation. Chemotherapy travels through your body and can reach cancer cells that may have spread beyond the breast.
2. Surgery Surgery removes the cancer from the breast and sometimes from the nearby lymph nodes (the axilla). There are different surgical options, which are explained in detail below.
3. Radiotherapy Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It is usually given after surgery to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back in the breast or chest area.
4. Hormone Therapy Some breast cancers grow in response to hormones. Hormone therapy blocks the effects of these hormones, slowing or stopping the cancer’s growth. It is usually taken as a tablet over several years.
Surgery: For the Breast and AxillaSurgery for the Breast The main types of breast surgery are:
Surgery for the Axilla (Armpit) Cancer can spread to the lymph nodes in the axilla. Surgery may involve:
Understanding DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ) DCIS is an early form of breast cancer where cancer cells are found in the milk ducts but have not spread. Treatment for DCIS is similar to early breast cancer and may involve surgery and sometimes radiotherapy. The goal is to prevent DCIS from turning into invasive cancer.
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy This is chemotherapy given before surgery. The aim is to shrink the tumor so that less extensive surgery is needed. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can sometimes make breast-conserving surgery possible when it wasn’t before.
Oncoplastic Surgery: Combining Cancer and Cosmetic Surgery Oncoplastic surgery blends cancer removal with cosmetic techniques to preserve or improve the breast’s appearance. This can involve reshaping the remaining breast tissue or using tissue from another part of the body.
Volume Displacement This means rearranging the remaining breast tissue after cancer removal to fill the space and maintain breast shape.
Volume Replacement This involves using tissue from another part of the body (such as the back or abdomen) to replace the tissue removed during surgery.
Breast Reconstruction Breast reconstruction rebuilds the breast shape after surgery. There are different types of reconstruction:
Your team will discuss which options are suitable for you, based on your health, preferences, and cancer treatment.
Lipofilling (Fat Grafting) Lipofilling is a technique that uses your own fat, taken from another part of your body, to improve the shape and feel of the breast after surgery or reconstruction. It can help correct dents, improve symmetry, and create a more natural look and feel.
Remember: Every breast cancer journey is unique. Your MDT is there to guide and support you, helping you make the decisions that are right for you.