*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Treatment For Breast Cancer In Women

Main treatments for breast cancer

The treatment you'll have for breast cancer depends on:

the size and type of breast cancer you have
where it is
if it has spread to other parts of your body
your general health

The main treatment for breast cancer in women and people with breasts is usually surgery. Other common treatments include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, treatment with hormones (hormone therapy), and targeted medicines and immunotherapy.

The specialist care team looking after you will:

explain the treatments, benefits and side effects
work with you to create a treatment plan that is best for you
talk to you about how treatment may affect you, for instance if there are any side effects

You'll have regular check-ups during and after any treatments. You may also have tests and scans.

If you have any symptoms or side effects that you are worried about, talk to your specialists. You do not need to wait for your next check-up.

Secondary breast cancer

If you have secondary breast cancer (where it has spread to other parts of your body), your treatment may focus on managing your symptoms and helping you feel better.

Find out more about treatment for secondary breast cancer from Cancer Research UK

Surgery

Surgery is usually the main treatment for breast cancer. The type of surgery you may have depends on you how big the cancer is and if it has spread.

Surgery for breast cancer can include:

removing only the area of your breast with cancer in it (sometimes called breast-conserving surgery)
removing the whole breast (mastectomy)
removing lymph nodes in your armpit - these are small glands that are part of the body's immune system

If you've had a mastectomy you may choose to have breast reconstruction, where the surgeon makes a new breast.

This can sometimes be done at the same time as the mastectomy, or you can have another surgery.

Find out more

Cancer Research UK: surgery for breast cancer

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses radiation to kill cancer cells.

You may have radiotherapy for breast cancer:

after surgery to lower the chance of the cancer coming back
if you have secondary breast cancer to help control your symptoms

Find out more

Cancer Research UK: radiotherapy for breast cancer

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells.

You may have chemotherapy for breast cancer:

before surgery to help make the cancer smaller
after surgery if the cancer has spread to your lymph nodes or is growing quickly
either before or after surgery if you have certain types of breast cancer
if you have secondary breast cancer to help make the cancer smaller and control your symptoms

Find out more

Cancer Research UK: chemotherapy for breast cancer

Hormone therapy

Some breast cancers are affected by different hormones in the body, which can make them grow faster.

Hormone therapy uses medicines to either:

lower the amount of certain hormones in the body
block certain hormones from getting to breast cancer cells

Hormone therapy may be used:

before surgery to help make the cancer smaller
after surgery to lower the chance of the cancer coming back
if you have secondary breast cancer to help control your symptoms
if you are not able to have surgery

Find out more

Cancer Research UK: hormone therapy for breast cancer

Targeted medicines and immunotherapy

Targeted medicines kill cancer cells.

Immunotherapy is where medicines are used to help your immune system kill cancer.

Targeted medicines and immunotherapy may be used:

before surgery to help make the cancer smaller
after surgery to lower the chance of the cancer coming back
if you have secondary breast cancer to help control your symptoms
if you are not able to have surgery

Find out more

Cancer Research UK: targeted and immunotherapy drugs for breast cancer

What happens if you've been told your cancer cannot be cured

If you've been diagnosed with secondary or advanced breast cancer, it may be hard to treat and not possible to cure.

The aim of treatment will be to slow down the spread of the cancer, to help with the symptoms, help you feel better and help you live longer.

This can help many people live a normal life for a number of years.

Finding out cancer cannot be cured can be very hard news to take in.

You'll be referred to a team of doctors and nurses called a symptom control team or palliative care team.

They will help you to manage your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable.

The palliative care team can also help you and your loved ones get any other support you need.

Find out more

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.