DEMO - Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells throughout the body. These drugs work by disrupting how cancer cells grow and divide. Because chemotherapy travels through your bloodstream, it can reach cancer cells that may have spread beyond the breast, helping to reduce the risk of the cancer returning. Chemotherapy before surgery is called 'neo-adjuvant' treatment. It may be recommended if your cancer is large, fast-growing, or has spread to the lymph nodes. This approach aims to shrink the tumour, making surgery more straightforward, and sometimes allowing breast-conserving surgery, rather than mastectomy. Chemotherapy after surgery is called adjuvant treatment. It aims to destroy any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. Your oncologist may recommend this if there are factors that suggest a higher risk of recurrence. Understanding chemotherapy can help you feel more prepared and in control. If you have questions about your treatment plan, please speak to your oncologist or breast care nurse - your team is there to support you at every stage.