Therapies to fight of breast cancer
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is usually given post-operatively to the breast and sometimes armpit regions. Courses range from 3-6 weeks or more, with patients usually receiving one dose a day, five days a week. The side effects of radiation can be slight reddening or discomfort in the treated area, tiredness and nausea. Most patients can expect to remain pretty well throughout treatment.
Tamoxifen
Tamoxifen is a
hormonal therapy that works mainly by depriving residual
cancer cells of the oestrogen they require for growth. It is especially effective in protecting post-menopausal patients, however recent evidence suggests it may also be useful in pre-menopausal patients. Side effects are few, but may include vaginal irritation, occasional nausea, and symptoms similar to those of the menopause, eg. hot flushes and irregular
menstruation. Tamoxifen is usually prescribed for 2 or 5 years.
Chemotherapy
Anti-cancer drugs (
chemotherapy) aim to track down and kill cancer cells anywhere in the body. Most pre-menopausal patients under 50 years are routinely offered chemotherapy, usually with 6 courses of a standard drug regime known as CMF(cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, flouracil) given on an out-patient basis over a period of around six months.
Chemotherapy increases the survival of patients whose cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, as well as increasing disease-free survival in patients without any node involvement. Possible side effects include the disruption or cessation of menstrual periods, with possible onset of the
menopause. Also tiredness, nausea, loss of hair, mouth ulcers, loss of appetite and diarrhoea.
