How breast cancer treatment is decided

Your treating team will consider many things before they recommend treatment options for you.

In most cases, you don’t need to rush your decision. It’s generally okay to take some time to think about the options. Take time to understand the treatment and how it may affect you and your family. Taking this time does not usually affect the outcome of your treatment.

It’s important to remember:

• every breast cancer is different. A treatment may be right for one person but unsuitable for another.
• everyone’s needs are different. It’s up to you how much you want to know about breast cancer treatments.

What influences treatment decisions

Your breast cancer pathology report helps your team decide which treatments to recommend for you and in what order.

Factors that affect the most appropriate type of treatment for breast cancer include:

• the type of cancer you have; the size, grade, stage, and the presence of hormone and HER2 receptors. This information is all in your pathology report
• whether your cancer has a lower or higher risk of coming back. Your specialist may recommend a genomic test to help assess the risk
• your general health, age and personal preferences when you are planning treatment
• if you have had a previous breast cancer diagnosis and the treatment you received.

Tips to help you make treatment decisions

Breast cancer treatment is different for each person. There is a lot of information available about the options and it can be difficult to know what is relevant to you. To help, we recommend you:

Choose how much information you want

Everyone’s need for information is different and it’s up to you to decide how much you want to know ahead of time. If you prefer not to read about breast cancer yourself, ask a family member or friend to research for you and come to your appointments.

Read as much as you feel comfortable reading

This can help you feel prepared for any decisions you might need to make. It also helps you think of questions you want to ask your doctors. Write them down so you don't forget. This is easier than trying to think of everything when you are in the appointment. If you do want to know more about the options for breast cancer, read Treatments for early breast cancer or Treatments for DCIS.

Ask as many questions as you need

Ask questions about anything you need, so you can make decisions that are right for you. This is important if you:

• don’t understand the options they are offering
• are concerned why a particular treatment is recommended for you.

Many people find it helpful to write down questions to take to their next appointment. You can also ask for a second opinion if you are not finding the answers you need.

Take time to plan

It’s important to take the time you need to make the decisions that are right for you. You may need to plan practical things such as childcare, work and finances. Taking a week or two to make a decision will not usually affect the outcome of your treatment.

Ask about the costs of treatment upfront

The costs of breast cancer treatment can add up, even if you have private health insurance. Find out what different treatments cost before you decide. Resources to help are:

• Questions to ask: treatment for early breast cancer

Talk to people in BCNA’s Online Network

In the Online Network, you’ll find people with a good understanding of what you’re going through. They can share their experiences of what you might need to know and what decisions you might be asked to make at appointments.

Feeling overwhelmed?

Sometimes, you may feel overwhelmed by how much information you need to take in and the number of decisions to be made. It does become easier as you start to understand the terminology and how the health system works.

As well as connecting with people in the Online Network, you can reach out to BCNA’s Helpline. The team is available on 1800 500 258 between 9.00am and 5.00pm AEST Monday to Friday.