According to statistics, over 2 million women suffer from various stages of breast cancer. It can happen to any woman who is over the age of 40 mostly. A few particular factors that might increase the chance of breast cancer include alcohol’s harmful usage, genes, harmful breast surgery, obesity, etc. So, the question remains, what will be the first line of treatment for breast cancer if it occurs.
Doctors always advise to grow breast naturally as it lowers the risk. However, if you suffer from this cancer, then the best answer for you is to opt for either one of two primary treatments: hormonal therapies or Targeted Therapies.So, take a look at these two therapies in detail and more to defeat breast cancer if an individual suffers from it.
Treatment for breast cancer
Though numerous options are available along with certain experimental treatments, the ones which doctors always suggest to their patients are hormonal therapy or targeted therapy. These two are the best first line of breast cancer treatment that women can opt for.
A. Hormonal Therapy
If a woman gets test reports indicating that she has advanced estrogen receptors to be positive, then most doctors would suggest hormone therapy. However, the reports might state that one’s progressive hormone receptor is positive instead of estrogen.
The first line of treatment for this disease is using an aromatase inhibitor and a combination of 4/6 CDK inhibitors. This is the front line of this therapy, which has helped countless women over the years and helped them defeat this cancer type.
Moreover, if a woman chooses this course of treatment for breast cancer, then ovarian suppression should also be administered if the lady is going through premenopausal. The suppression that most people select happens to be Lupron, Zoladex, etc. However, these should be used after consulting a doctor first, and then if they permit, one can go through these medicines.
The inhibitors given to women will work only if their ovaries stop producing estrogen. In addition, anti-estrogens are provided with an aimed partner. Such anti-hormonal therapy is offered as long as a patient can handle/tolerate it. If one line is stopped, then a second hormonal therapy line is implemented.
Side effects will depend on an individual and the drugs one consumes. However, some common ones include vaginal dryness, night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings, lowering of sex drive, and mood swings. Try avoiding surgery as it is one of the leading causes of small breast size and several other health issues; also, it is useless if less painful therapy can fix your problem.
B. Targeted therapy
This therapy is the ideal treatment for breast cancerHER2-positive. The treatments include Tucatinib, Trastuzumab, Lapatinib, Neratinib, etc. Again, these should be taken after a doctor prescribes them. However, most people have stated that using some of these drugs along with chemotherapy works best.
Furthermore, one should keep in mind that if an individual’s cancer keeps progressing or the side effects are unbearable, then changing to a new drug will be a better option. Nevertheless, if cancer still keeps developing to further stages, then chemo or surgery is your choice.
C. Chemotherapy
If the form of breast cancer happens to be triple-negative, then hormonal and targeted therapy won’t work. The only treatment a woman can opt for in such a scenario is chemotherapy. This is the last line of defense for breast cancer when nothing works. Chemotherapy destroys abnormal cells with quick growth, and this is the reason for this therapy to be so highly effective.
It has several side effects but can save a woman’s life. Millions of women are still alive and living healthy life due to this treatment. Your last resort should be surgery, and that too if the doctor suggests it.
These three options are your first line of treatment for breast cancer. These will help you overcome this cancer. Just follow through a therapy continuously without fail. If not, then the doctor will advise you about changing meds and more.
If all fails, then the option of surgery is also available. Your best option is to consult your doctor in detail and listen to what they suggest. Science and technology have come far, and thus, there is no need to lose hope quickly.