the use of anti-cancer drugs to attack and kill cancer cells.
Chemo drugs can be taken orally or through a vein. If intravenous drugs are used, a port may be surgically implanted underneath the skin of your chest.
Chemo drugs can be administered directly through the port and this decreases the number of needle sticks from your nurse.
Your oncologist may recommend administering chemo as the first course of action to shrink your tumor before surgically removing it.
Chemo may also be given after a tumor is removed to kill any cancerous cells that were left behind.
4. Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy can be done several weeks after a mastectomy or after chemo.
During radiation, high-energy particles kill cancer cells that may still be lurking and decrease the chances of your breast cancer coming back.
Radiation can also reduce pain associated with mastectomy or lumpectomy.
Radiation can be delivered to the breast, chest, or under the arms from outside or inside your body through a device.
Radiation can be done for a few days up to several weeks.
5. Breast Reconstruction
After you’ve had a mastectomy