"When you have advanced disease, it becomes quickly evident that the treatment given to you is to maintain the best quality of life." --Luba
While there is currently no cure for secondary breast cancer many treatments are available to limit the spread of cancer and control the symptoms. Symptoms caused by secondary breast cancer depend on where the cancer is located and how extensive it is. Some women have many symptoms and some will have very few.
Learning about various treatment options can help you feel more in control and will prepare you for what your doctors might discuss with you.
Tips:
- Pre-reading can help you prepare for what your doctors might discuss with you, and help you prepare questions to ask.
- Talking to others who have been through the journey may help -- they have an understanding of what you're going through.
- Every woman's needs are different - you can choose how much or how little information you need.
- Let your doctor know how you're feeling so they can help you manage any side-effects early.
Types of treatment
Treatments for secondary breast cancer aim to stop the cancer from growing, or slow its growth to control pain or discomfort. The intention is not to cure, but to best manage the cancer.
The most common treatments are:
- Hormone blocking therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Radiotherapy
- Surgery
Secondary breast cancer is such an individual disease affecting different parts of the body, so remember that your treatment options will relate to your unique situation.
Use the navigation menu on the left to find out more about the different treatments.
"If I had to get secondary breast cancer, now is a good time to get it because treatments are improving all the time." --Ivana
How long will treatment last?
You will usually be offered treatment for as long as it keeps the cancer under control. If you have a special occasion coming up, a trip planned or if you are just feeling worn out by the side effects, discuss the possibility of taking a break from treatment with your oncologist.
Many women have very long periods of wellness with little or no treatment - some for many years. Others will reach a stage where no further active treatment options are available, so the care they received will be aimed at keeping them pain free and comfortable.
Clinical trials
The aim of clinical trials is to find new and/or better cancer treatments or to see if a new treatment is better than an existing treatment. They can be held for drugs as well as radiotherapy and surgery. Clinical trials may also be held to investigate various emotional and physical side-effects of diagnosis and treatment.
Participating in a clinical trial gives people access to a new type of treatment or care that is not yet available to the general public.
" When my oncologist first asked me to take part in a clinical trial, I hesitated and didn't want to be a guinea pig. I never felt like that, in fact, it was VIP treatment". --Ingrid
Clinical trials are not for everyone, and each has specific criteria for participation. The clinical trials page has more information that may interest you.
More information
- The free Hope & Hurdles Pack contains more detail about treatment options.
- Find out more about clinical trials.
