Early Breast Cancer

What Is Early Breast Cancer?

Early breast cancer refers to cancer that is confined to the breast or nearby lymph nodes and has not spread to other parts of the body. Detecting breast cancer early gives the best chance for successful treatment and long-term survival.

Treatment of early breast cancer usually involves a combination of therapies including surgery to the breast and lymph nodes, radiotherapy, hormonal treatment and chemotherapy. 

Early breast cancer can be treated with 

• Breast conservation / lumpectomy/ wide local excision: these terms all mean the same thing and refer to the breast cancer being removed from the breast with a cuff of normal tissue surrounding it, the remainder of the breast being left intact and the breast remodelled to maintain the cosmetic appearance. This type of breast surgery is often combined with radiotherapy. 

• Mastectomy: this refers to removal of all of the breast tissue on one or both sides. Reconstruction options may be possible after a mastectomy. Radiotherapy is occasionally not required after mastectomy, although there is a benefit to having radiotherapy in some women given several more aggressive factors seen in the tumour. 

There are advantages and disadvantages to both of these broad surgical options and your doctor may recommend that you’re suitable for a particular approach once they assess your breast size and shape and your tumour. Some women may also have personal preference for one option over another.