Breast Cancer Therapies

At Adventist Health Glendale (AHGL), our breast cancer care team understands that the various options for continued treatment after surgery can be confusing. We're here to help you make the best decision for your type and stage of cancer.

After breast cancer surgery, recommended therapies include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapy. These treatments are used to kill any remaining cancer cells and prevent them from growing.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells while sparing healthy cells. AHGL offers two types of radiation therapy. External radiation therapy uses advanced technology to deliver radiation to the cancer site. Internal radiation therapy uses radioactive sources that are placed directly into or near the cancer site. The type of radiation therapy that you will receive depends on the type and stage of cancer that you have.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses certain drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells. It is a systemic therapy, which means that it can weaken and destroy cancer cells at the cancer site as well as cells that may have spread to another part of the body. Chemotherapy can have unpleasant side effects but remains one of the most effective options for treating breast cancer.

Hormone Therapy

Hormones are produced by glands in the body and circulate through the bloodstream. Some hormones, such as estrogen, cause cancer cells to grow. Hormone therapy consists of substances or procedures that remove specific hormones from the body or block their action. Types of hormone therapies include tamoxifen (a drug used to block estrogen), ovarian ablation (a procedure that stops the ovaries from producing estrogen) or aromatase inhibitors (substances that reduce the level of estrogen in post-menopausal women).

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is a treatment that uses drugs or other types of substances, such as antibodies, to attack cancer cells without causing harm to normal cells.

The type of therapy you receive depends on the type and stage of cancer that you have. Your breast cancer care team will work together to determine which treatment will work best for you.

For a referral to one of our Breast Cancer Program physicians, call(818) 409-8000.