Explore Treatment Options For Breast Cancer

Surgery: A Foundation for Breast Cancer Treatment

For many people diagnosed with breast cancer, surgery is one of the first lines of treatment. The type and extent of surgery depends on how early the cancer is detected, its size, location, and whether it has spread.

Main surgical options include:

• Lumpectomy (Breast-Conserving Surgery): Removes only the cancerous tumor and a small surrounding margin. Often followed by radiation therapy for local control.

• Mastectomy: Removal of the entire breast. May be chosen based on personal preference, tumor size, or recurrence risk.

• Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: Tests whether cancer has spread to lymph nodes without removing many of them.

• Axillary Lymph Node Dissection: Removes several lymph nodes if cancer has already spread.

Costs:

• Lumpectomy: $10,000–$20,000 (without insurance), depending on hospital and region.

• Mastectomy: $15,000–$40,000, including post-op care and hospital stay.

• Reconstructive surgery (optional): Can add $5,000–$50,000 depending on technique and insurance coverage.

Senior considerations:
Older patients may opt for less invasive surgeries, especially if accompanied by other health conditions. Recovery times, anesthesia risks, and post-surgical support should all be discussed with a geriatric oncologist.

Tip: Ask your treatment team if “prehabilitation” — exercise and nutrition strategies before surgery — could improve outcomes and recovery speed.

Systemic Therapies: Targeting Cancer Preparedly

Systemic therapy involves using medications that affect the entire body to kill cancer cells, shrink tumors, or prevent recurrence. It's often used in combination with surgery and/or radiation.

Main types of systemic treatments include:

• Chemotherapy: Uses powerful drugs to kill fast-growing cells. Typically administered in cycles over weeks or months.

• Hormone Therapy: For hormone receptor-positive cancers. Blocks estrogen or progesterone that fuels tumor growth.

• Targeted Therapy: Treats specific genetic mutations or proteins like HER2. Includes drugs like trastuzumab (Herceptin).

• Immunotherapy: Boosts the immune system to fight cancer. Currently used for certain breast cancer subtypes like triple-negative.

Cost overview:

• Chemotherapy: Can range from $10,000 to $100,000+ total depending on drug type and cycles.

• Hormone pills (e.g., Tamoxifen): Approx. $100/month (generic prices).

• Targeted & immunotherapies: Among the most expensive, $70,000–$150,000 annually without insurance.

Side effect management:
Side effects such as fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and immune suppression are common. Modern regimens often include “supportive care” drugs to manage discomfort and reduce risks.

Senior tip: Seniors should be screened for frailty, cognitive function, and nutritional status before beginning systemic treatments. Dose adjustments are often made to reduce toxicity in older adults while maintaining effectiveness.

Home remedy support:
Warm ginger tea, mild exercise like walking, and maintaining oral hygiene can ease common chemotherapy-related discomforts. Always clear any home remedies with your oncologist to avoid interactions.

Radiation Therapy: Localized Precision Treatment

Radiation therapy is often used after a lumpectomy or, in some cases, after a mastectomy to destroy remaining cancer cells in the breast area, chest wall, or lymph nodes.

Types of radiation therapy:

• External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT): Most common; administered over several weeks in daily sessions.

• Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI): Targets a smaller area; shorter treatment time.

• Brachytherapy: Places radioactive material inside the body near the tumor site.

Modern radiation uses precision imaging to minimize exposure to surrounding healthy tissues, including the heart and lungs.

Typical costs:

• EBRT: $10,000–$50,000 depending on the number of sessions (usually needed 5 days a week, for 3–6 weeks).

• Brachytherapy: ~$30,000, but varies by facility.

For seniors:
Radiation can be taxing due to daily commuting and fatigue. Shorter protocols like APBI or hypofractionated radiation (fewer, larger doses) may be more appropriate for older adults.

Tips for during radiation:

• Use unscented aloe vera gel to soothe skin.

• Wear soft, cotton-based clothing.

• Avoid tight undergarments to reduce skin irritation.

Preventive insight: Keeping up with hydration, nutrition, and gentle movement (like yoga or tai chi) helps mitigate radiation fatigue.

Emotional and Lifestyle Support During Treatment

A vital but often overlooked aspect of breast cancer care is emotional and lifestyle support. Regardless of age, the mental toll of a diagnosis affects patients and families. Integrative care strategies can help patients cope and improve overall prognosis.

Supportive resources may include:

• Oncology social workers and psychologists

• Nutrition counseling to manage weight and energy during treatment

• Support groups, both in person and online

• Home health services for seniors needing help with daily activities

• Art, music, or meditation therapy

For seniors:
Isolation, transportation difficulties, and cognitive changes may challenge older breast cancer patients more than younger ones. Senior-specific cancer programs may offer home check-ins, mobile chemo/radiation, or rides to appointments.

Practical advice:

• Keep a symptom journal — tracking side effects helps your team adjust treatments quickly.

• Involve caregivers or family in medical appointments for information sharing and emotional support.

• Use apps like MyChart or navigators provided by hospitals for appointment reminders and medication tracking.

Cost tip:
Ask your care team or a hospital financial counselor about patient assistance programs. Pharmaceutical companies, cancer nonprofits, and even local charities may provide help covering medication, transportation, or even utility bills during treatment.

Mental health tip for all ages: It’s okay to seek therapy. Anxiety, fear of recurrence, and body image changes are real, and trained counselors can significantly improve quality of life.