Breast Cancer Treatments

New and exciting treatments for breast cancer are now available. In the past, only one or two options were available- extensive surgery and debilitating chemotherapy. Today the treatment of breast cancer varies according to the individual, their preferences and tolerances and the treatments which have been shown to be effective for their breast cancer. Generally, treatment for breast cancer consists of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy and immunotherapy. New drugs such as aromatase inhibitors and gene therapies are showing great promise. Improved anti-emetics enable people to tolerate chemotherapies better and improved surgical techniques result in fewer side effects and improved cosmetic outcomes.

These pages discuss specifics about surgery within various sites within the Calgary Health Region and give general information about other treatment options. Your treatment plan should be discussed with your surgeon and cancer specialist.