Main forms of treatment for breast cancer

Treatment for breast cancer varies according to the degree of tumor development, and can be done through chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery. Other factors that can influence the choice of treatment are the characteristics of the tumor and characteristics of the woman, such as age, presence of associated diseases or not and the fact that she has already entered menopause.

These treatments are indicated mainly for malignant tumors, and in the case of benign breast cancer it is usually only necessary to keep constant monitoring of the nodule, without the need for any type of treatment. In the case of metastatic breast cancer, in which the tumor is highly developed, it may be necessary to use a combination of all treatments to try to fight all cancer cells and increase the chances of cure.

The treatment for breast cancer can be done by SUS free of charge in the High Complexity Assistance Units in Oncology, known as UNACON and in the High Complexity Assistance Centers in Oncology, also known as CACON. To start treatment for cancer it is important to contact the INCA and follow all the recommended indications to make the treatment as close to home.

The main therapeutic techniques that can be indicated by the oncologist and the mastologist are:

1. hormone therapy

Hormone therapy aims to decrease the amount of female hormones circulating in the bloodstream, preventing the proliferation of cancer cells. This type of treatment is recommended in the case of breast cancer of the "positive hormone receptor" type, that is, who benefit from therapy with hormonal drugs, since the tumor cells have receptors.

The doctor may recommend the use of Tamoxifen or Fulvestranto, which should be used for about 5 years, even if the woman does not show any more signs of cancer. In addition, tamoxifen may be indicated before or after tumor removal surgery.

2. Surgery

Surgery is indicated for any type of breast tumor, regardless of size, as it removes many cancer cells, increasing the chances of cure and facilitating the rest of the treatment. The type of surgery varies according to the size of the tumor, and radical mastectomy, in which the breast is removed completely, is only used in the most severe cases when the cancer is very widespread. In other cases, only the part of the breast where the tumor is found is usually removed, known as partial mastectomy.

After surgery, the doctor may also recommend some radiotherapy sessions to eliminate tumor cells that may not have been removed, especially in cases of primary high-risk breast cancer or advanced breast cancer.

3. Chemotherapy

Treatment with chemotherapy is done with the combined use of various drugs indicated by the oncologist and it is common for side effects to appear, such as nausea, vomiting, headache, lack of appetite and hair loss. That is why it is important to have a psychologist monitor to help cope with these changes.

4. Radiotherapy

The treatment of breast cancer with radiotherapy is indicated when chemotherapy is not sufficient to eliminate all cancer cells. In this type of treatment, the patient is subjected to direct radiation in the breast and armpit region and complementation with chemotherapy is common.

5. Physiotherapy

After surgery for breast removal, physiotherapy should be started to combat swelling of the arm, increase the range of motion with the shoulder, improve body posture, normalize sensitivity and decrease spasms and scar adhesion, which are complications resulting from surgery associated with radiotherapy, which affects all women treated in this way.

Treatment of male breast cancer

The treatment of breast cancer in men is done with the same methods used in women, however, as the diagnosis is usually made at a more advanced stage of the disease, there is less chance of cure than women diagnosed early in the disease.

Thus, it is essential that men are also aware of symptoms of breast cancer, such as chest pain or fluid coming out of the nipple and go to the doctor as soon as he detects any changes. Learn how to recognize male breast cancer.

Treatment in pregnancy

Treatment for breast cancer in pregnancy depends on the gestational age, the size and extent of the disease. All methods can be performed on pregnant women, however they have some restrictions, since they can represent a risk for the woman and the baby.

Surgery for breast cancer can be performed at any stage of pregnancy, as it represents low risk and does not interfere with the baby's development. However, in most cases, surgery alone is not enough to treat this type of cancer, requiring complementary treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which must be performed taking into account the gestational period and the possible effect on the development of the baby.

Thus, the doctor often prefers to delay the performance of the surgery so that it is possible to start the complementary treatment with chemo and radiotherapy to follow without any risks. Chemotherapy treatment is recommended from the second trimester of pregnancy, as from the fourth month of pregnancy the risks of treatment for the baby are less.

However, when it is found that the cancer is more advanced, the doctor may indicate that the treatment is done in the first trimester of pregnancy, and it may be necessary to interrupt the pregnancy to prevent damage to the baby. On the other hand, when treatment is started after the second trimester, it should be stopped until the 35th week or 3 weeks before the baby is born to avoid complications during delivery, such as generalized infection or hemorrhage.

Radiotherapy is another treatment method that can be used in breast cancer, but it should not be used in pregnancy as it can interfere with the baby's development and, therefore, should only be done after birth. In some cases, when the woman has cancer at a more advanced stage and is already at the end of pregnancy, the doctor may choose to anticipate delivery so that radiotherapy can be started soon after.

Natural treatment options for breast cancer

The natural treatment for breast cancer only complements the clinical treatment performed in the hospital, and should not replace the doctor's instructions. To improve the treatment in a natural way, you should:

• Consume fiber-rich foods with every meal, such as whole oats, ground flaxseed, and whole foods, and raw vegetables; Decrease fat consumption and avoid consumption of processed or processed foods; Quit smoking if you are a smoker; Invest consumption of organic food, free of pesticides.

These types of changes in diet are very important because they guarantee an increase in lignans in the body, which are substances that decrease the production of estrogen, the main hormone responsible for the development of this type of cancer.