Treatment for breast cancer

Your treatment depends on where your cancer is, how big it is, whether it has spread anywhere else in your body, and your general health. A team of doctors and other professionals decide on the best treatment and care for you.

Preparing for treatment and life afterwards (prehabilitation)

There are things you can do to help you feel more in control of your physical and mental health when preparing for treatment. In the hospital, preparing for treatment is also called prehabilitation or prehab.

Treatment options

The type of treatment you have for breast cancer will depend on the stage of your cancer. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. 

Surgery for breast cancer

Find out about the different types of surgery for breast cancer, how to prepare for your operation, and how to recover well.

Radiotherapy for breast cancer

Radiotherapy uses high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. Find out about planning radiotherapy for breast cancer, having treatment, and possible side effects.

Chemotherapy for breast cancer

Read about when, where and how you have chemotherapy for breast cancer, and how to cope with the possible side effects.

Hormone therapy

Hormones can stimulate breast cancer cells to grow. Hormone therapy blocks or lowers the amount of hormones in the body.

Targeted and immunotherapy drugs for breast cancer

Targeted cancer drugs work by targeting the differences in cancer cells that help them to grow and survive. Find out about having targeted drugs for breast cancer.

Follow up after breast cancer treatment

You have regular follow up after your treatment for breast cancer. This is to check how you are and see whether you have any problems or concerns.

If your breast cancer comes back after treatment

Many women have no more problems after their treatment for breast cancer. But sometimes breast cancer comes back. Find out about symptoms and treatment.

Last reviewed: 
16 Feb 2021
Next review due: 
16 Feb 2024
Coronavirus and cancer

We know it’s a worrying time for people with cancer, we have information to help.

Read our information about coronavirus and cancer