Management of breast cancer: basic principles

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and in the world, exceeding lung cancer incidence. Screening has resulted in the earlier detection of breast cancer and resulted in a reduction in breast cancer deaths. Symptomatic presentation of breast disease should be investigated in specialized clinics where triple assessment involving clinical, radiological and pathological findings is recommended for optimal care. Treatment for breast cancer falls broadly into four categories – surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy (with or without anti-HER-2 treatments) and endocrine therapy. These depend on the type and extent of cancer, and recommendations for treatments should be made within a multidisciplinary team setting.