Cancer treatments can either be local or systemic. Local treatments include surgery and radiation to remove density and control cancer cells. Systemic treatments attack or control cancer cells and include chemotherapy and hormone therapy.

SURGERY

Surgery is the most common way to treat breast cancer. Lumpectomy is a way to remove the malignant tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue. More extensive operations may take parts or the entire breast. In segmental mastectomy, the surgeon removes only the afflicted portion of the breast, while simple mastectomy removes the entire breast. Side effects include loss of balance and discomfort in the back and neck. Skin may be tight and weak.

RADIOTHERAPY

Radiotherapy can be given internally or externally. It uses high energy rays to kill cancer and cells and stop their spread. Women who receive theses treatments are treated daily or from week to week. In internal radiation treatments, implants of radioactive material in plastic tubes are placed within the breast. Side effects include exhaustion and red, dry, tender skin.

CHEMOTHERAPY

This treatment uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Cancer patients will usually be given medications daily through injections in the arm. Side effects include killing not only cancer cells, but also blood cells, hair follicle cells, and cells in the digestive tract. Patients may bruise and bleed easily and may lose their hair, have a loss of appetite, experience nausea, vomiting and mouth sores. Other effects also include hot flashes, vaginal discharge and irregular periods.

HORMONE THERAPY

This entails using drugs to alter hormone functioning or surgically removing organs that produce hormones. Side effects include hot flashes, vaginal discharge and pain. In use of the drug, Tamoxtan, eye damage, liver failure and cancer of the uterus lining have also been experiences.

©2003 Ashley Cisneros

Send me an E-mail at acisnero@ufl.edu

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