Early breast cancer (eBC) can mean having a very strong chance at living cancer-free in the future. Even with recurrence, patients should know that there are many treatments that can help improve their chances of survival.

With early breast cancer, the chance of being cured is very good.

At the early stage of breast cancer (eBC), treatment can give patients the best chance of being cured, preventing recurrence, and achieving remission. Treating eBC is important and can potentially help prevent recurrence-related complications.

Treating early breast cancer is very comprehensive.

eBC treatment is a comprehensive approach. Surgery is often the main treatment provided, and radiation therapy may be offered after breast-conserving surgery. Some patients may receive treatment prior to surgery, known as neoadjuvant therapy. Adjuvant therapy, such as chemotherapy and targeted therapy, might be recommended after surgery, and is aimed at killing any remaining cancer cells to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.

Recurrence is a possibility – but treatment options are available.

If you have local breast cancer recurrence (cancer that comes back in the same areas it was originally diagnosed), and your original treatment was a lumpectomy and raditation therapy, your doctor may recommend a mastectomy. Patients with high risk of recurrence can be offered appropriate treatment to improve their likelihood of overall survival.