Post-Menopausal Breast Cancer Treatments

Women who develop breast cancer after menopause have many options for treatment, including surgical techniques, radiation and drug therapies. Postmenopausal women may have more options than younger women due to the risk of infertility or cancer recurrence in younger women. Treatments for breast cancer in postmenopausal women depend on the stage of the cancer, overall health and age.

Lumpectomy

Lumpectomy is surgical removal of a cancerous tumor in the breast, and may be preceded or followed by other treatments.

Partial Mastectomy

Partial mastectomy is surgical removal of the cancerous tumor, some surrounding healthy tissue and tissue outside of the breast in the chest area.

Mastectomy

Mastectomy is surgical removal of an entire breast, and may include the removal of nearby lymph nodes and chest muscles.

Reconstructive Surgery

Reconstructive surgery may be performed after lumpectomy or mastectomy to rebuild a natural-looking breast, and may use existing body fat or artificial materials.

Radiation

Radiation treatments may be performed after surgery, but according to the Mayo Clinic, older women benefit less from radiation than younger women (see Resources).

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs that kill fast-growing cells anywhere in the body, including both cancerous and healthy cells.

Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy is the use of synthetic hormones that block the function of estrogen, slow the growth of breast cancer and kill tumor cells.

Resources

• Mayo Clinic: Breast Cancer Treatments