Treatment of Early Breast Cancer and DCIS
This section discusses treatment for early and locally advanced breast cancers (stages I, II and III). These breast cancers include invasive ductal carcinomas and invasive lobular carcinomas. This section also discusses treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS or stage 0).
If you’re looking for information about treatment for metastatic breast cancer, you can find it in our Metastatic Breast Cancer section.
Starting Treatment for Early Breast Cancer or DCIS
Starting treatment for breast cancer can be overwhelming. You may be feeling anxious, scared or even in shock. Understanding your treatment options will help you be better informed as a patient. Your treatment options are based on your unique breast cancer diagnosis.
Each treatment has benefits and risks to consider along with your own values and lifestyle. It’s important to make thoughtful, informed decisions in partnership with your doctor. It’s also important to complete your breast cancer treatment plan. Those who complete their full course of treatment have a higher chance of survival.
Use these links to jump to the topics below.
Watch our video of Former Komen Chief Scientific Advisor Dr. George Sledge as he shares some things to think about before getting breast cancer treatment.
Treatments for Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)
DCIS is a non-invasive breast cancer (stage 0) and is confined to the ducts of the breast. However, without treatment, DCIS may progress to invasive cancer over time.
Treatment for DCIS includes surgery, with or without radiation therapy. Some people also get hormone therapy (also known as endocrine therapy).
Treatments for Early Breast Cancer
Treatment for early breast cancer is designed to remove the cancer from the breast and kill any cancer cells that might still be in your body. Based on your specific breast cancer diagnosis, your doctor will recommend how to best treat your cancer. Your treatment will be based on your personal preferences and:
- The biology of the tumor, including biomarkers (such as hormone receptor status and HER2 status)
- Tumor profiling test results (for some estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancers)
- Whether you have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 inherited gene mutation (for some HER2-negative breast cancers)
- The stage of the breast cancer
- Your overall health, age, menopausal status and other medical issues
Types of treatment
Early invasive breast cancer is cancer that has spread from the original location (milk ducts or lobules) into the nearby breast tissue and possibly into the lymph nodes.
Treatment for early invasive breast cancers includes some combination of surgery, radiation therapy and drug therapy (such as chemotherapy).
Treatment for breast cancer in men is similar to treatment for breast cancer in women.
Young women
With treatment, the chances of survival for young women with early breast cancer are good. However, young women may be concerned about loss of fertility (the ability to have a natural pregnancy) and other issues.
Breast cancer recurrence
Everyone who’s had breast cancer is at risk of recurrence (return of breast cancer), but risk varies greatly from person to person. Most people diagnosed with breast cancer will never have a recurrence. Talk with your doctor about your risk of recurrence.
Clinical trials
Over the past 40 years, breast cancer treatment has greatly improved due to findings from clinical trials. Research is ongoing to improve treatment for breast cancer. New therapies are being studied in clinical trials. The results of these studies will decide whether these therapies become part of the standard of care. After discussing the benefits and risks with your doctor, we encourage you to consider joining a clinical trial.
Emerging areas
Perhaps the most promising treatments under study for breast cancer are targeted therapies. Unlike many standard treatments, targeted therapies attack specific cancer cells and leave healthy cells alone. The hope is they may help limit side effects and improve survival. Learn about these and other breast cancer therapies under study.
Lauren’s Story: Letting Go of the Timeline
Lauren Tarpley, 34, was diagnosed with stage 2 HER2-positive, hormone receptor-negative and BRCA-negative invasive ductal carcinoma when her son was 1 year old. “I’ve had 9 reconstructive surgeries, and I’ve had 11 surgeries total over 18 months,” she said. “It has not been a straightforward line.”
Read NowManaging Side Effects
Managing side effects is an important part of breast cancer care. All treatments for breast cancer have some side effects. The good news is most side effects can be managed and many can be prevented. Before any treatment begins, talk with your doctor about possible side effects and ways to deal with them.
Learn about possible short-term side effects of treatment.
Learn about possible long-term side effects of treatment.
Supportive care (palliative care)
Supportive care is all the care given to improve your quality of life during and after treatment for breast cancer. It includes taking care of your physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs.
Talk with your doctor about how you’re coping during treatment. They care about your overall well-being and want to help. They may connect you to a mental health provider on your health care team, such as a social worker, for emotional support. They may also recommend you or your loved ones find a counselor or support group.
Episode 12
In partnership with the American Brain Tumor Association, this episode of Breast Cancer Breakthroughs features Dr. Priya Kumthekar and Jose Pablo Leone, who explain the importance of being aware of the signs of brain metastasis and the latest research advances in treating breast cancer brain metastasis.
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