Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells or slow down their growth. It is commonly used as a treatment option for breast cancer and offers several benefits in managing the disease. Here are some of the benefits of chemotherapy for treating breast cancer:
- Targeting cancer cells: Chemotherapy drugs work by targeting and killing rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells. Breast cancer is known to have various subtypes, and chemotherapy can be effective in treating different types, such as hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive, and triple-negative breast cancers.
- Shrinking tumors before surgery: In some cases, chemotherapy is administered before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) to shrink large tumors. This approach can help make the tumor easier to remove during surgery, increasing the chances of successful surgical outcomes.
- Reducing the risk of recurrence: Chemotherapy is particularly valuable in reducing the risk of cancer recurrence. Even after surgery, there may be undetectable cancer cells left behind. Chemotherapy helps to eradicate these cells, lowering the risk of cancer coming back in the future.
- Treating metastatic breast cancer: If breast cancer has spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body (metastatic breast cancer), chemotherapy can help control the disease, alleviate symptoms, and improve quality of life. It may not be curative in this stage, but it can provide significant benefits in terms of disease management and prolonged survival.
- Combination with other treatments: Chemotherapy can be used in combination with other breast cancer treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies (e.g., HER2-targeted drugs like trastuzumab). These multi-modal approaches can improve treatment outcomes and increase the chances of long-term survival.
- Personalized treatment: Chemotherapy drugs and treatment regimens can be tailored to an individual’s specific breast cancer subtype, stage, and overall health. Oncologists consider various factors to determine the most effective chemotherapy options, including the specific drugs used, dosage, frequency, and duration of treatment. Personalized treatment helps optimize the benefits while minimizing side effects.
- Potential for cure: In early-stage breast cancer, chemotherapy can significantly improve the chances of cure, particularly when combined with surgery and/or radiation therapy. By eliminating cancer cells throughout the body, chemotherapy aims to eradicate the disease and prevent its recurrence.
It’s important to note that while chemotherapy offers significant benefits in breast cancer treatment, it can also cause side effects. These can vary depending on the drugs used and the individual’s tolerance, but advancements in supportive care have helped in managing and minimizing these side effects. The decision to undergo chemotherapy should be made after a thorough discussion between the patient and their healthcare team, weighing the potential benefits against the associated risks and side effects.
Make Chemo Bearable (MCB) exists to provide awareness, education, support and hope to individuals during their cancer journey, specifically targeting those from under resourced, underrepresented and underserved communities.