Modern Breast Cancer Treatment Methods

Executive Summary about Breast Cancer Treatment by Darren Dunner

Breast cancer has become a more common disease among women in modern times. Statistics reveal that the average breast cancer risk is 14%.

Typical breast cancer symptoms are the formation of lumps, swelling or skin changes in the breast. Regular self-examination of the breast and an annual mammogram would help in early diagnosis of breast cancer.

Breast cancer treatment depends on several factors, like the size and stage of the tumor, as well as the lymph node and hormone receptor status. Breast cancer is classified as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC).

Normal breast cancer surgery, called lumpectomy, is done where only the tumor in the breast is removed.

In persons having invasive breast cancer, surgery and radiation might be supplemented by an axillary lymph node dissection. Further hormonal therapy or chemotherapy – or both – might be needed in a few breast cancer patients. Radiation therapy reduces the risk of recurrence significantly.

If the breast cancer is hormone-receptor-positive, then hormonal therapy is a primary method of breast cancer treatment. Hormonal therapy stops the hormone known as estrogen to stimulate breast cancer cell growth. In recent times, aromatase inhibitors are preferred to tamoxifen, particularly for breast cancer treatment of post-menopausal women who have hormone-receptive-positive breast cancer.

Alternative Breast Cancer Treatments

Executive Summary about Breast Cancer Treatment by Gary Leonard

A wide variety of alternative breast cancer treatments exist today.  While “alternative” treatments are defined as practices that replace traditional treatments, most breast cancer patients use them in combination with conventional medicine.

Generally, alternative treatments are not acknowledged by the medical community as standard medical practices and therefore, many patients do not inform their doctors when using these therapies.  Examples of alternative treatments include acupuncture, massage, megavitamins, herbal supplements, nutrition, and magnetic therapy, to name a few.

Massage involves manual manipulation of muscles and soft tissue.

Megavitamin treatments usually involve very high doses of vitamins A, C and E.  A healthy diet, one that offers lots of fruits and vegetables, eliminates the need for vitamin supplements.

Good nutrition is always important, but for anyone fighting breast cancer, or any cancer, it’s crucial.  Though there are many, one alternative nutrition treatment is the macrobiotic diet. Cancer experts often recommend that patients avoid dietary supplements altogether.

These are just a few of the many alternative breast cancer treatments available.  While it’s important to keep an open mind about new treatment options, it’s more important to approach alternative treatments with caution.  Ultimately, the decision for any treatment is up to the patient.  Remember, knowledge is power.

You may want to check out my other guide on Lung Cancer Symptoms