What Current Drug Treatments Are There For Breast Cancer And How Do They Work?
There are several different drugs used as part of the chemo treatment for breast cancer. It depends on the type of cancer which drugs are administered. Some chemo drugs are oral such as tamoxifen, others are administered by IV, such as adriomycin, cytoxin, and taxotere. Many IV drugs are very toxic and attack healthy as well as cancerous cells and can affect liver function, the mucous linings (mouth, nose, digestive tract) nervous system and hair growth.
Chemo for breast cancer is usually administered once every two-three weeks, not several times a week.
October 1st, 2009 at 4:12 am
Generally with breast cancer today, they start surgically. They may be able to just cut out part of the breast, or may have to do a full mastectomy (remove the whole breast).
They have found that surgery done before treatment helps keep the cancer from returning.
Then they will generally use either radiation or chemotherapy or both. Radiation is simply radioactive beams directed precisely at the site of the cancer. Generally you have to go 5 days a week for 6 weeks or so. Chemotherapy is an IV drug that you have to go several times a week to get. Both make you tired and sick.
Good luck!
October 1st, 2009 at 9:29 am
cancerbackup.org.uk will tell you all you need to know about breast cancer & more..highly recommended.