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Treating Breast Cancer
If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, your cancer care team will talk to you about your treatment options. It’s important to think carefully about each of your choices and weigh the benefits of each treatment option against the possible risks and side effects.
Who treats breast cancer?
Depending on your treatment options, you might have a few different doctors on your treatment team. These doctors could include a:
- Breast surgeon (surgical oncologist) who uses surgery to treat breast cancer.
- Radiation oncologist who treats cancer with radiation therapy.
- Medical oncologist who treats cancer with medicines such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy.
- Plastic surgeon who reconstructs or repairs parts of the body.
You might have many other specialists on your treatment team as well, including physician assistants (PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs), nurses, psychologists, nutritionists, social workers, patient or nurse navigators, and other health professionals.
How is breast cancer treated?
Most people with early-stage breast cancer will have some type of surgery to remove the tumor.
You might also need other types of treatment. This will depend on your type of breast cancer and how advanced it is. These other treatments might happen before surgery, after surgery, or both.
Common treatment approaches
Treatment for breast cancer is typically based on the type of breast cancer and its stage. Your treatment team will consider other factors as well, including your overall health, menopause status, and personal preferences.
Breast reconstruction surgery
If surgery is part of your treatment, you may choose to have breast reconstruction to rebuild the shape and look of your breast. There are a few different types of breast reconstruction.
Making treatment decisions
Your treatment plan will depend on many factors, including your overall health and personal preferences. It’s important to discuss all your treatment options with your cancer care team. This includes talking about the goals and possible side effects of each treatment.
Ask questions if you are unsure about anything.
Questions to ask before breast cancer treatment
Understanding your diagnosis and choosing a treatment plan
- What stage is my cancer?
- What are my treatment options?
- What is the goal of these treatments?
- What do you recommend and why?
- Do I need chemotherapy? Are there any tests to figure out if I need it?
- What about other molecular or protein tests on my cancer tissue? Could these help decide my treatment options?
- How soon do I need to start treatment?
- How much experience do you have treating this type of cancer?
- Should I get a second opinion? How do I do that?
- Should I think about taking part in a clinical trial?
What to expect during treatment
- What should I do to get ready for treatment?
- How long will treatment last?
- What will it be like? Where will it be done?
- How will treatment affect my daily activities? Can I still work full time?
- Can I exercise during treatment? If so, what kind should I do and how often?
- Are there any limits on what I can do during treatment?
- Will I need imaging scans or blood tests during treatment?
- How will we know if the treatment is working?
- What are the chances the cancer will come back (recur)?
- What will we do if treatment does not work or if the cancer comes back?
Side effects and long-term effects
- What are the risks and side effects of the treatments you suggest?
- Are there things I can do to manage or reduce them?
- Do I need to change what I eat during treatment?
- What symptoms or side effects should I tell you about right away?
- How can I reach you on nights, weekends, or holidays?
- Will I go through menopause because of treatment?
- Will I be able to have children after treatment? What about breastfeeding?
- Do I have time to freeze my eggs before starting treatment? What are my options?
Support and resources
- What if I need transportation to and from treatment?
- Is there someone I can talk to if I feel overwhelmed, depressed, or distressed?
- What if I need social support during treatment because my family lives far away?
- Who do I talk to if I’m worried about the costs and insurance coverage for my treatment?
More questions for your breast surgeon
If a mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) is part of your treatment plan, you might have more questions for your surgeon. You can find a list of additional questions in Surgery and Other Procedures for Breast Cancer.
Other things to consider
Seeking a second opinion: If time allows, consider getting a second opinion. This can give you more information and help you feel more confident about the treatment plan you choose.
Clinical trials: Clinical trials study new treatments and may offer access to promising options not widely available. This is also how doctors learn better ways to treat cancer. Ask your doctor about clinical trials you may qualify for.
Integrative (holistic) and alternative methods: You may hear about herbs, diets, acupuncture, massage, or other ways to relieve your symptoms or treat your cancer. Integrative therapies are used with standard care, while alternative therapies replace it. Some of these may help with symptoms, but many are not proven to work. Some could even be harmful. Talk with your care team first to make sure they’re safe and won’t interfere with treatment.
Help getting through cancer treatment
Your cancer care team will be your first source of information and support, but there are other resources for help when you need it. Hospital or clinic-based support services can also be an important part of cancer care. This might include nursing or social work services, financial aid, nutritional advice, rehab, or spiritual help.
The American Cancer Society also has programs and services to help you get through treatment, including rides to treatment, lodging, and more. Contact the ACS cancer helpline for more information.
Choosing to stop treatment or choosing no treatment at all
When treatments have been tried and are no longer controlling your cancer, it could be time to weigh the benefits and risks of continuing to try new treatments. Whether or not you continue treatment, there are still things you can do to help maintain or improve your quality of life.
Choosing not to treat your cancer
Some people might not want to be treated at all, especially if the cancer is advanced. You may decide not to get treatment for many reasons, but it’s important to talk to your cancer care team as you make that decision. Remember that even if you choose not to treat your cancer, you can still get supportive care to help with pain or other symptoms.
Hospice care
People with advanced cancer who are expected to live less than 6 months may want to consider hospice care. Hospice care is designed to provide the best possible quality of life for people near the end of life.
You and your family are encouraged to talk with your cancer care team about hospice care options, which include hospice care at home, a special hospice center, or other healthcare locations.
Nursing care and special equipment can make staying at home a workable option for many families.
The treatment information given here is not official policy of the American Cancer Society and is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your cancer care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor. Your doctor may have reasons for suggesting a treatment plan different from these general treatment options. Don't hesitate to ask your cancer care team any questions you may have about your treatment options.
- Written by
- References
Developed by the American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
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Last Revised: July 9, 2026
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.
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