In this Article

• Introduction
• What is different about breast cancer in young women?
• Can breast cancer in younger women be prevented?
• Should women under age 40 get mammograms?
• What's the best way for younger women to screen for breast cancer?
• How is breast cancer treated in young women?
• Breast Cancer in Young Women Glossary
• Breast Cancer in Young Women Index

How Is Breast Cancer Treated in Younger Women?

The course of treatment for breast cancer at any age is based on the extent of the person's disease (whether or not it has spread beyond the breast), as well as the woman's general health and personal circumstances.

Treatment options include surgery: either a lumpectomy, which involves removing the lump and some surrounding tissue, or a mastectomy, which is the removal of a breast.

Radiation therapy is generally used following a lumpectomy, and chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy often are recommended after surgery to help destroy any remaining cancer cells and prevent recurrence.

Breast cancer poses other challenges for younger women, as well, such as sexuality, fertility and pregnancy after breast cancer treatment.

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center.
Edited by Charlotte E. Grayson, MD, WebMD, February 2004.

Portions of this page © The Cleveland Clinic 2000-2005

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Breast Biopsy - Learn about the different types of breast biopsy procedures, which are used to remove suspicious breast growth and examined for the presence of cancer.
• Breast Cancer - Get the facts on breast cancer symptoms, signs, stages, types, research, risk factors, diagnosis, prevention information and treatment options: mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy.
• Breast Cancer Follow-Up Self-Exam - Breast cancer self-exam information

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