Breast Cancer Treatments
Advanced, personalized treatment designed around you
After breast cancer has been detected, and further testing has provided detailed information on the nature and scope of the disease, your oncologist will advise you on the best course of treatment. Our oncologists are committed to educating patients about breast cancer and treatment options so that, together, you and your care providers can create a plan that addresses your medical, emotional and family needs.
Extensive cancer research has resulted in numerous breakthroughs in treatment and rehabilitation. There are a number of new, effective methods that can stop and reverse the progression of breast cancer. Advances in surgical, medical and radiation technology mean that today’s cancer patients receive the full benefits of treatment while experiencing fewer side effects and less discomfort than patients experienced in the past.
How is breast cancer treated?
Many treatment options are available for breast cancer. Treatment depends on the size and location of the tumor in the breast, the results of diagnostic tests, and the stage (or extent) of the disease. Treatment for breast cancer may include one or more of the following (click any of the links for more information):
- Breast Cancer Surgery
- Radiation Oncology
- Medical Oncology
- Interventional Radiology
- Chemoembolization
Treatment options may also include hormonal therapy for specific types of cancer that are dependent on estrogen or progesterone, targeted drug treatments that attack specific abnormalities within cancer cells, and clinical trials. Clinical trials are used to test new and promising treatments that may or may not be better than currently available therapies. Talk with your Hurley physician about clinical trials to see if one is right for you.
Women at high-risk for breast cancer
In many cases, a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer can be determined by genetic testing or other documented risk factors. A woman suspected to be at high risk can then receive closer follow-up and screening (more frequent mammogram or breast MRIs) or drug therapy to reduce her risk of developing breast cancer. Hurley has access to a Michigan State University genetic counselor who meets with patients who have been referred by their physician (usually their oncology surgeon or medical oncologist).
Hurley Breast Health Nurse Navigator
From diagnosis to treatment to long-term follow-up, Hurley Medical Center’s Breast Health Nurse Navigator helps breast cancer patients navigate the complicated and stressful world of breast cancer. Click here for more information about the Breast Health Nurse Navigator program at Hurley Medical Center.
