I have breast cancer, what are my medical options?

Cancer treatments are no picnic but they can do wonders for patients who have been diagnosed in the early stages of the disease.

Chemotherapy is the most common treatment for those with breast cancer at all stages. Most chemotherapy is given post surgery, although women with large tumors may be treated before their surgery.

Women with noninvasive breast cancer are often treated with a variety of surgical and radiation options. What option is used will depend on factors such as your risk of developing invasive (life threatening) breast cancer.

Most women with invasive breast cancer are first given one of two options. Either you will receive a lumpectomy where the lump in your breast is removed along of your axillary (arm pit) lymph nodes. This is followed by radiation. The second option is a mastectomy, the removal of your breast along with your axillary lymph nodes. In a limited number of cases you may be advised to also undergo radiation after the mastectomy.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.