Breast Cancer Treatment Information for Patients
Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is a very difficult and frightening experience. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available to South Coast Medical Group OC patients depending on their particular diagnosis and the nature of their breast cancer.
Some patients may be able to receive local treatments. This means that the tumor can be treated without affecting the rest of the body. Most patients will require some type of surgery in order to remove a cancerous breast tumor. There may be other necessary treatments either before surgery or after. Our experienced team will be with you there every step of the way so you will never feel alone.
Oral or intravenous medication is considered systemic therapy since it reaches cancer cells nearly anywhere in the body. The type of breast cancer usually determines the type of treatment that is used. Certain breast cancers will require chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy. Each patient’s breast cancer will be diagnosed to be at a certain stage. Depending on the stage, treatment may involve more complex or advanced types of treatment methods. For example, a patient with Stage 4 breast cancer is likely to have a much more complex treatment than a person with Stage 1 breast cancer.
A patient may meet one or a number of specialists during the course of treatment. These include a breast surgeon or surgical oncologist, which is a doctor who specializes in surgery for removing breast cancer. They may also meet a radiation oncologist who specializes in radiation for treating breast cancer. Patients may also meet a medical oncologist who specializes in chemotherapy and other medicinal treatments for cancer. Plastic surgeons may also become involved in the treatment process, especially if surgery has caused bodily changes that require reconstructing or repairing parts of the body.
Patients will also be receiving treatment from a team of medical professionals such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, nutritionists, and social workers. These professionals work for your well-being whether it is giving you treatment during your visits or protecting your mental health from the stress of cancer treatment. At South Coast Medical Group, we are focused on giving you the best quality medical care because we treat our patients like they are family.
For over 19 years, South Coast Medical Group OC has provided excellent medical care and breast cancer treatment. Our patients who have battled breast cancer trust us because we treat them like they are family. We help them through every step of their breast cancer treatment and recovery. Dr. Shannon O’Connor, South Coast Medical Group OC’s resident breast cancer specialist, urges women to get regular check-ups. If you want to get a breast exam and believe you need to be screened for breast cancer, reach out to our staff, and we will discuss the next steps.
