Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment used to kill or disable cancer cells that may have spread to the lymph nodes or to other parts of the body. It is usually given after surgery, but in some cases it can be given before surgery. A full course of chemotherapy for early or locally advanced breast cancer is usually given over 3 to 6 months.

Hormone therapies slow or stop the growth of hormone receptor-positive tumors by preventing the cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow. All breast cancers are tested to see if they have hormone receptors. Hormone therapy can include tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors and ovarian suppression.

About 10-20 percent of breast cancers are HER2-positive and can be treated with HER2-targeted therapies. HER2-targeted therapies for early breast cancer include trastuzumab, ado-trastuzumab emtansine, pertuzumab and neratinib.

Other targeted therapies include CDK4/6 inhibitors, which are designed to interrupt the growth of cancer cells; immunotherapy, which helps the body’s immune system attack cancer cells; and PARP inhibitors, that try to keep cancer cells from repairing damaged tumor DNA.

More information about treatment options for breast cancer is available in Treatment section of this tool or in the Treatment section of the Komen website.