Types of Treatment for Early Breast Cancer
Early and locally advanced breast cancers (stages I, II and III) are cancers that have spread from the original location (milk ducts or lobules) into the nearby breast tissue and possibly into the nearby lymph nodes.
The goal of treating early and locally advanced breast cancers is to get rid of the cancer and keep it from coming back. These breast cancers include invasive ductal carcinomas and invasive lobular carcinomas.
Learn about treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
Learn about treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
Making treatment decisions
Together, you and your health care team make breast cancer treatment decisions.
After you get a recommended treatment plan from your health care team, take time to study your options. Each treatment has benefits and risks to consider.
Talk with your health care team about your values and lifestyle. Talk to those closest to you. Make thoughtful, informed decisions that are best for you. If you’re unsure, consider getting a second opinion.
Early breast cancer treatment can be divided into local therapy and systemic therapy.
Local therapy
Local therapy removes the cancer from a local (limited) area, such as the breast, chest wall and lymph nodes in the underarm area. It also helps make sure the cancer doesn’t come back to that area.
Local therapy involves surgery, with or without radiation therapy to the breast and nearby lymph nodes.
Learn about factors that affect treatment options.
Surgery
The goal of breast cancer surgery is to remove the entire tumor from the breast.
Some of the axillary lymph nodes (lymph nodes from the underarm area) may also be removed to see if they contain cancer cells.
There are 2 basic types of breast cancer surgery:
- Lumpectomy (also called breast-conserving surgery, partial mastectomy or wide excision). The tumor and a margin (small rim of normal tissue around the tumor) are removed. The rest of the breast remains intact.
- Mastectomy. The entire breast is removed.
Learn about deciding between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy.
Learn about breast reconstruction.
Radiation therapy
The goal of radiation therapy is to kill any cancer cells that might be left in or around the breast after surgery. These cells are too small to see on scans or to be measured with lab tests.
Learn about going through radiation therapy.
Learn about side effects of radiation therapy.
Learn about emerging areas in radiation therapy.
Systemic therapy (neoadjuvant therapy and adjuvant therapy)
The goal of systemic therapy is to kill or disable cancer cells that may have spread from the breast to other parts of the body. These cells are too small to be seen on scans or to be measured with lab tests.
Systemic therapy uses drug therapies that travel throughout the body to kill or disable cancer cells. Some drug therapies are given through an IV into a vein, some are given by injection, and some are pills.
Systemic therapy is used in addition to (an adjunct to) breast surgery. So, these treatments are often called adjuvant therapy when given after surgery. When they are given before surgery, they are called neoadjuvant therapy.
Learn more about neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Learn about factors that affect treatment options.
Drug therapies for early breast cancer
Different drug therapies can be used to treat early breast cancer. To learn about drug therapies that may be part of your treatment plan, click on any class of drugs or drug name below.
Learn more about side effects of drug therapies.
Class of drugs |
Drug (brand name) in alphabetical order by class of drugs |
Learn more about the importance of following your breast cancer treatment plan.
Learn about financial issues related to treatment.
Learn about emerging areas in drug therapies for early breast cancer.
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.
Treatment guidelines
Although the exact treatment for breast cancer varies from person to person, evidence-based guidelines help make sure high-quality care is given. These guidelines are based on the latest research and agreement among experts.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) are respected organizations that regularly review and update their guidelines.
In addition, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has treatment overviews.
Talk with your health care team about which treatment guidelines they follow.
After you get a recommended treatment plan from your health care team, study your treatment options. Together with your health care team, make thoughtful, informed decisions that are best for you. Each treatment has benefits and risks to consider along with your own values and lifestyle.
Diane Heditsian – Patient, Research & Policy Advocate
“A breast cancer diagnosis will change your life. In the end, sometimes it’s for the better because your priorities get clarified, you can become more appreciative of things that you just took for granted. You grow from adversity in ways you could not have imagined before. Some people even say that there is a “silver lining” to breast cancer.”
Financial assistance
Costs related to breast cancer treatment can quickly become a financial burden for you and your family. Dealing with finances and insurance can be overwhelming.
Many hospitals have financial counselors who can discuss insurance and cost coverage with you. They may be able to arrange a payment plan for hospital-related costs.
You may qualify for financial assistance from federal, state or local programs. A financial counselor or social worker at your hospital can help you learn about financial assistance programs.
Learn more about financial assistance programs.
Prescription drug assistance
Breast cancer drug costs are a part of the financial burden of breast cancer treatment.
Some drug therapies are given by through an IV into a vein or by an injection, so they are covered by a health insurance plan’s medical benefit.
However, breast cancer drugs that are pills are covered under a health insurance plan’s prescription drug benefit rather than the plan’s medical benefit. This means there are usually out-of-pocket costs, which can add up over time.
Medicare and many insurance companies offer prescription drug plans. One may already be included in your policy, or you may be able to buy an extra plan for prescriptions.
Some drugs have a generic form. Generic drugs cost less than name brand drugs but are just as effective.
Many hospitals have financial counselors who can discuss insurance and cost coverage with you.
You may qualify for programs that help with drug costs or offer low-cost or free prescriptions. A financial counselor or social worker at your hospital can help you learn about these programs.
Learn more about insurance plans and prescription drug assistance programs.
Learn more about other financial assistance programs.
Komen Financial Assistance Program |
Susan G. Komen® created the Komen Financial Assistance Program to help those struggling with the costs of breast cancer treatment by providing financial assistance to eligible individuals. To learn more about this program and other helpful resources, call the Komen Patient Care Center at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email helpline@komen.org. Se habla español. Learn about other financial assistance programs. |
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Susan G. Komen®‘s position on fairness in oral cancer drug coverage |
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Insurance coverage of oral cancer drugs Cancer medications given through an IV into a vein or by an injection (under the skin or into a muscle) are usually covered under a health insurance plan’s medical benefit. However, oral cancer drugs (cancer medications that are pills) are usually covered under a health insurance plan’s prescription drug benefit. As a result, people often find themselves facing high out-of-pocket costs when filling prescriptions for oral cancer drugs. Sometimes these costs can be thousands of dollars a month. The impact of high cost-sharing High prescription drug costs and the resulting out-of-pocket burden on patients are a barrier to health care. They can prevent people from getting the medications prescribed by their health care providers. No one should be forced to get less appropriate treatment because an insurer gives more coverage for IV and injectable drugs than for pills. Efforts to increase fairness in drug coverage Komen supports state and federal efforts to require insurers to provide the same or better coverage for oral cancer drugs as they do for IV and injectable cancer drugs. This would help make sure patients have access to affordable, appropriate treatment. Become a Komen Advocacy Insider Sign up to be a Komen Advocacy Insider and get informed when action is needed on oral drug coverage parity at the state or national level. |
Updated 03/19/26
This content is regularly reviewed by an expert panel including researchers, practicing clinicians and patient advocates.
