Treatment
Chapter: 6 - Treatment
Subchapter: 2 - Standard Treatment & Clinical Trials
Before selecting your treatment plan, you should first understand the difference between standard treatment and clinical trials.
Standard treatments are methods that experts agree are appropriate, accepted and widely used. These standard procedures have proven useful in fighting breast cancer in the past. A clinical trial, on the other hand, is an approved research study that some doctors believe has a strong potential to improve standard treatments. When clinical trials demonstrate better results than the standard, that new treatment becomes the standard. Remember, all our current standards were clinical trials at one time.
If a clinical trial is an option for you, your doctor will explain the possible trade-offs with the trial treatment versus standard treatment. Together with your medical team, you will need to decide what treatment method is the best for you and your health.
Let’s look more closely at the standard treatments your doctors may recommend.
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Sub Chapters
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Introduction 02:03
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Surgery 02:03
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Breast Reconstruction 02:08
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Lymph Node Removal 02:35
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Radiation Therapy 02:43
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Chemotherapy 01:44
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Hormone Therapy 02:03
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Targeted Therapy 01:52
Related Questions
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Did any of you guys stop working to do chemo?
Asked by anonymous
Stage 2A Patient- View all 12 answers
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anonymous
Survivor since 2012
Please take advantage of any Short Term Disability that your job may offer you. Just remember this -- you are in the fight for your life. Your job will go on if you aren't here. You need to focus on HEALING. Alot of people do not have that kind of benefit though and are worried about losing...
Comment 1Please take advantage of any Short Term Disability that your job may offer you. Just remember this -- you are in the fight for your life. Your job will go on if you aren't here. You need to focus on HEALING. Alot of people do not have that kind of benefit though and are worried about losing their income. Along with Short Term disability, there is the FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) that can protect you and your job if you meet the qualifications as well as your employer meeting the qualifications.
With that mouthful being said... I am one of the lucky ones that have wonderful benefits, including Short Term (had 100% pay for 6 weeks, 75, 6 weeks after, 60% until it ran out).
I actually started working intermittently, while I was out on short term, after the 100% pay. But working when I wanted to and only from home.
Chemo made me VERY sick, but I had some ok days in between. I'm glad I had the ability to stay home and heal, without worry. Again, I'm one of the lucky ones where my employer supported me and still does to this day. Best Wishes.
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anonymous
Survivor since 2010
I worked part time only in the office, the rest at home. I was just too ill. Everyone is different though. Most people do work.
Comment 0
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My fingernails are turning white?!? I finished chemo THREE MONTHS AGO! I can't believe I'm still getting kickback from Taxotere. Anyone else have retroactive stuff happen??
Asked by anonymous
Patient- View all 10 answers
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anonymous
Survivor since 2011
I am having major side effects from my lovely cocktail and meds. Neuropathy, numbness in both frets and hands, chronic pain in arms, legs and back! I am truly blessed to still be here, so I just except whatever comes my way! Between me and my God, he will work it out! Also looking for...
Comment 2I am having major side effects from my lovely cocktail and meds. Neuropathy, numbness in both frets and hands, chronic pain in arms, legs and back! I am truly blessed to still be here, so I just except whatever comes my way! Between me and my God, he will work it out! Also looking for therapist in my area too(MD). God Bless all my sisters, we might not know each other, but God brought us all to this web site for support and strength !
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anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer
I had a lot of side effects from taxotere also. I finished 11/11 and I still have numbness in finger and toe tips, thin brittle nails, and very uneven hair growth. Taxotere is the gift that keeps on giving, but it is so worth it to still be here and cancer free. I thank God every day! Be strong...
Comment 2I had a lot of side effects from taxotere also. I finished 11/11 and I still have numbness in finger and toe tips, thin brittle nails, and very uneven hair growth. Taxotere is the gift that keeps on giving, but it is so worth it to still be here and cancer free. I thank God every day! Be strong these are things we can live with, cancer is not! Hugs and Prayers Laura
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My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer a few days ago. I am terrified. I don't know much, just that they found cancer at her mammogram, but it looks like it is contained. Can someone tell me what to expect for treatment?
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer-
anonymous
Survivor since 2013
Everyone's cancer is unique to them so a treatment plan will be based on her case and her case only. That being said it may include surgery, chemo, radiation, and perhaps a hormone blocking pill. She may have some of these or all of these but most likely a combo. of them.
She will be OK and...7 comments 1Everyone's cancer is unique to them so a treatment plan will be based on her case and her case only. That being said it may include surgery, chemo, radiation, and perhaps a hormone blocking pill. She may have some of these or all of these but most likely a combo. of them.
She will be OK and she's in my prayers.
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Has anyone had or received chemo in 6 weeks in order to avoid loosing hair? (versus a 4 week cycle)
Asked by anonymous
Stage 2B Patient- View all 7 answers
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anonymous
Survivor since 2011
DOn't think it matters much. Your hair will still come out. Once I finally understood it, I didn't mind it so much. Chemo attacks rapidly dividing cells and destroys them. Therefore cancer is destroyed (hopefully) because it's composed of rapidly dividing cells. The hair on your head is the...
Comment 1DOn't think it matters much. Your hair will still come out. Once I finally understood it, I didn't mind it so much. Chemo attacks rapidly dividing cells and destroys them. Therefore cancer is destroyed (hopefully) because it's composed of rapidly dividing cells. The hair on your head is the most rapidly growing hair on your body which is why it falls out first and completely. Eyebrows and eyelashes take longer and sometimes don't fall out entirely...hair on the rest of your body may never fall out. Anyway, it's unavoidable and I think it's a sign that the chemo is doing what it needs to. Most of us here feel that once it's gone it's not such a big deal. It's actually sort of liberating!!!
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anonymous
Survivor since 2007
I haven't heard of it. I lost my hair after the first treatment. My reservation would be the fear that altering the regular frequency of treatment just to try to save my hair might come back to bite me in the future. Will the chemotherapy be as effective with the administration of it in this...
Comment 0I haven't heard of it. I lost my hair after the first treatment. My reservation would be the fear that altering the regular frequency of treatment just to try to save my hair might come back to bite me in the future. Will the chemotherapy be as effective with the administration of it in this unorthodox way? It is traumatic to lose your hair but would my vanity win out over the wisdom of standard treatment? (HECK NO!) Breast cancer is a formidable enemy and it plays sneaky and tough. Being bald is temporary, there are many ways to deal with it.... wigs, scarves, hats, or even "going commando." I wouldn't chance it. As Traciann says... "It's the drug." Sharon
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Related Topics
- Self
- Clinical Breast Exam
- Edp
- Early Detection
- Ultrasound
- Mri
- Exam
- Mammogram
- Clinical Breast Exam
- Standard
- Trials
- Treatment
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