Breast cancer treatment isn’t the same for everyone, but doctors follow trusted guidelines to make sure everyone gets high-quality care. These guidelines are based on the latest research and the shared consensus of breast cancer experts.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology, or ASCO, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, known as NCCN, are two well-known organizations that regularly update and publish these guidelines online. The National Cancer Institute, or NCI, also provides helpful overviews of treatment options.

Guidelines are tailored to each stage of breast cancer. Stage 0 is non-invasive breast cancer, such as ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS. Stages 1 through 4 are invasive breast cancers. Stages 1 and 2 are considered early breast cancers, while stage 3 may be known as locally advanced breast cancer. Stage 4 is metastatic breast cancer, which is the most advanced stage of the disease. In general, breast cancers found at a lower stage have a better outlook. This chapter will review treatment options for stages 0 to 3. Stage 4 will be reviewed in a later chapter.

You can learn more about breast cancer treatment options through helpful online resources offered by Susan G. Komen®.

Within the Treatment section of komen.org, you’ll find information on different types of treatment, managing side effects and other topics. You can also learn about treatment by breast cancer diagnosis, as well as information for treating male breast cancer and breast cancer in young women.

Komen also offers free, downloadable educational resources on these topics, and more. Visit komen.org to learn more.