Today, more than ever, there are more breast cancer treatments than ever. Years ago, when a woman was diagnosed with this disease, breast cancer treatments consisted mainly of getting a full mastectomy. This was usually very traumatic for women and many women were hesitant about getting a diagnosis for fear of this disfiguring surgery.

Today, breast cancer treatments include modified surgery as well as drugs, chemotherapy and radiation. Women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer as well as those who have a genetic predisposition for the disease are prescribed certain medications that are designed to keep the breast cancer from occurring or returning. Breast cancer treatments still depend upon the stage the breast cancer is diagnosed. The earlier the breast cancer is diagnosed, the better chances the woman has for survival. If the cancer is diagnosed in a small area and has not spread, standard treatment includes surgery to remove the lump, called a lumpectomy, and radiation.

If the cancer has spread, breast cancer treatments can include chemotherapy. In some cases, breast cancer treatments still involve a total mastectomy. In cases such as this, in addition to the radical surgery to remove the breast, surgery to reconstruct the breast is also included as part of breast cancer treatments. While most breast cancer treatment focus on curing the woman from cancer and trying to prevent the disease for either spreading or reoccurring, some breast cancer treatments also include psychological counseling for those with the disease.

More doctors are discovering that a positive mental outlook has much to do with the recovery of a breast cancer patient and are now including psychological counseling n with their breast cancer treatments. Breast cancer treatments have come a long way over the past 20 years. Today, more than 80 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer survive the disease.