Treatment plans personalised to you
At HCA UK our multidisciplinary team (MDT) of breast cancer experts will recommend the best treatment plan for your individual cancer. They’ll explain the different treatment options to you and answer any questions that you may have, so that you can make an informed decision about your treatment and care.
Breast surgery
Surgery is the most common treatment for breast cancer. There are two types of surgery to remove breast cancer, breast conserving surgery is where the cancer and some of the surrounding normal tissue is removed, and a mastectomy, where the whole breast is removed. You may also need to have some or all of the lymph nodes in your armpit removed. Your consultant will talk you through the most effective surgical option based on your individual diagnosis and, together with your Clinical Nurse Specialist, can answer any questions you have.
Your consultant will also discuss breast reconstruction with you. It is often possible to carry out breast reconstruction during the same surgical procedure. Some people choose to have their breast cancer surgery and reconstruction done at the same time, while others choose to have reconstructive surgery at a later date or not at all. This is your personal choice, but your medical team will ensure you have all the information you need to make the decision that is right for you.
Your consultant will also discuss breast reconstruction with you. It is often possible to carry out breast reconstruction during the same surgical procedure. Some people choose to have their breast cancer surgery and reconstruction done at the same time, while others choose to have reconstructive surgery at a later date or not at all. This is your personal choice, but your medical team will ensure you have all the information you need to make the decision that is right for you.
Systemic anti-cancer therapies
Systemic anti-cancer therapies (SACT) is a collective name for a group of treatments including chemotherapy, hormone therapies, targeted therapies and immunotherapies.
Sometimes therapies are recommended before your surgery, which is known as neo-adjuvant therapy, or therapies may be recommended after surgery, which is known as adjuvant therapy. Your medical team will make a recommendation based on your individual diagnosis. They will explain the reasons of this recommendation to you, as well as any possible side effects before your treatment begins.
At HCA Healthcare UK we provide the full breadth of treatment options, our surgeons, oncologists, and other cancer experts work together to ensure your individual treatment plan provides you with the best possible treatment recommendations.
Sometimes therapies are recommended before your surgery, which is known as neo-adjuvant therapy, or therapies may be recommended after surgery, which is known as adjuvant therapy. Your medical team will make a recommendation based on your individual diagnosis. They will explain the reasons of this recommendation to you, as well as any possible side effects before your treatment begins.
At HCA Healthcare UK we provide the full breadth of treatment options, our surgeons, oncologists, and other cancer experts work together to ensure your individual treatment plan provides you with the best possible treatment recommendations.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses high energy X-rays to target and destroy cancer cells. Radiotherapy for breast cancer is usually given after surgery to target the area that the cancer was in. This is to reduce the chances of the cancer coming back.
Radiotherapy can cause damage to healthy surrounding cells, however the latest technology and treatment techniques significantly reduces the risk of causing damage to healthy cells and nearby organs.
Not all people require radiotherapy after breast cancer surgery, for example if your diagnosis means you are at a low risk of the cancer returning then your medical team may not recommend radiotherapy treatment.
However, if radiotherapy is recommended your consultant and Clinical Nurse Specialist can discuss this with you in detail, they’ll explain the type of radiotherapy they recommend and the advantages and disadvantages of treatment, including any possible side effects. They’ll be able to answer any questions you may have and ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about your treatment.
Radiotherapy can cause damage to healthy surrounding cells, however the latest technology and treatment techniques significantly reduces the risk of causing damage to healthy cells and nearby organs.
Not all people require radiotherapy after breast cancer surgery, for example if your diagnosis means you are at a low risk of the cancer returning then your medical team may not recommend radiotherapy treatment.
However, if radiotherapy is recommended your consultant and Clinical Nurse Specialist can discuss this with you in detail, they’ll explain the type of radiotherapy they recommend and the advantages and disadvantages of treatment, including any possible side effects. They’ll be able to answer any questions you may have and ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about your treatment.
Chantal's story
“It’s so important that you are in charge of your own treatment and that you ensure you are involved in the decisions about your body. I couldn’t have felt more empowered and in control at the London Breast Institute, where my opinion and my reasonings were not just considered, but I was listened to at every level.”
Chantal
When Chantal was diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2018, her treatment plan included a combination of chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy.
Being diagnosed with cancer and receiving treatment was a difficult time for Chantal, especially as during this time she also learnt that she was a carrier of the BRCA1 gene. This discovery led to one of the most difficult decisions of her life, opting to have a double mastectomy.
Here, she shares her story and her experience at London Breast Institute, part of HCA Healthcare UK.
Getting a second opinion
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, whether or not you have started treatment, a second opinion can give you reassurance and peace of mind.
Our second opinion service is led by expert consultants. They will provide a comprehensive review of your current and past medical history, to identify the best treatment options for you. This review may identify new treatment options or simply confirm you are already receiving the best treatment. Either way it can help you make an informed decision about what is best for you.
We offer a second opinion service in London and Manchester, covering a wide range of specialities.
Our second opinion service is led by expert consultants. They will provide a comprehensive review of your current and past medical history, to identify the best treatment options for you. This review may identify new treatment options or simply confirm you are already receiving the best treatment. Either way it can help you make an informed decision about what is best for you.
We offer a second opinion service in London and Manchester, covering a wide range of specialities.