Is Breast Cancer Treatment Safe?

Typically, breast cancer treatment depends on the breast cancer type and stage. Other factors, such as your personal preferences, menopause status, and overall health are taken into account as well. Now, though the treatment is generally safe and alleviates cancer in many cases, there are certain side effects associated with it.

Two types of breast cancer treatments

●      Local treatments

The treatments, like radiation and surgery, are local. It means they reach and treat the tumor without impacting any other body parts. Most women who have breast cancer need surgery for tumor removal. Based on the type and stage of cancer, you may require other treatment, too, after or before the surgery.

●      Systemic treatments

The use of drugs for the treatment of breast cancer is known as systemic therapies as they can access the cancer cells present anywhere in the body. Some of them can be injected into a muscle, given orally, or directly put in the bloodstream. Different kinds of drug treatment are used based on the type of breast cancer, and they are:

●      Chemotherapy 

●      Hormone Therapy

●      Targeted Drug Therapy

●      Immunotherapy

The late and long-term side effects of breast cancer

Breast cancer comes with some late and long-term side effects, and they are:

●      Headaches

●      Fatigue

●      Numbness and pain

●      Lymphedema

●      Dental issues

●      Osteoporosis and bone loss

●      Musculoskeletal symptoms

●      New cancers

●      Heart problems

●      Blood clots

●      Sexual difficulties

●      Cataracts

●      Absence of menstrual periods

●      Infertility

●      Menopausal symptoms

●      Concerns regarding cognitive function and memory loss (‘chemo brain’)

You should talk to the doctor about all the treatment options, including their possible side effects and goals. Thereby, your doctor will help you decide the course of treatment. You should also feel free to ask questions regarding anything you are not sure about.