Discover the various treatment options for early or locally advanced breast cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy.
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Overview
Treatment for early or locally advanced breast cancer varies from person to person. The treatment that is best for you will depend on your test results, where the cancer is in the breast, the stage and grade of the cancer, and whether the cancer is hormone receptor and/or HER2 positive or triple negative. Your treatment team will also consider your age and general health, and your preferences.
Treatment for early and locally advanced breast cancer usually includes surgery. Before surgery, you may have other types of treatment to shrink the cancer. This is called neoadjuvant treatment.
→ READ MORE: Making treatment decisions about breast cancer
Podcast: Making Treatment Decisions
Listen to more episodes from our podcast for people affected by cancer
Video: Understanding cancer tests, treatment and support
Being told you have cancer can be overwhelming — but you’re not alone. This video explains what happens after a diagnosis, the different treatment options, and how Cancer Council can support you.
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Video: Centrelink payments
Discover the financial support options available if you need to stop working due to illness. Learn about Centrelink payments, healthcare cards, and resources from the Cancer Council to help manage your financial situation.
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Video: Insurance and superannuation
Discover the financial support options available if you need to stop working due to illness. Learn about Centrelink payments, healthcare cards, and resources from the Cancer Council to help manage your financial situation.
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More resources
A/Prof Cindy Mak, Breast Surgeon and Director of Breast Services, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, NSW; A/Prof Nick Murray, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Royal Adelaide Hospital and GenesisCare Adelaide, SA; Caroline Bennett, Consumer; Tamara Casey, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Breast Assessment Unit, Fiona Stanley Hospital, WA; A/Prof Joe Dusseldorp, Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Lauren Lores, Consumer; Dr Linda Madigan, Breast Physician, Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA; Catherine Meredith, Consumer; Ash Mondolo, Breast Cancer Clinical Nurse Consultant, Mater Private Hospital, QLD; Chris Rivett, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Catrina Ross, McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Northern Sydney Local Health District, NSW; Prof Christobel Saunders AO, James Stewart Chair of Surgery and Director of Research, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, VIC; Dr Janice Yeh, Radiation Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; A/Prof Yvonne Zissiadis, Radiation Oncologist, Medical Director, GenesisCare WA and Adjunct A/Prof, Curtin University, WA.
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