Breast Unit
Non Surgical Treatments for Cancer
Non Surgical Treatments for Breast Cancer
Nurse specialist Kate Hope with patient
Anti-breast cancer treatments include hormonal therapies, different types of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and for a small proportion of patients, the 'biological agent' Herceptin.
Most patients with breast cancer will be offered one or more of these treatments following surgery, with a view to increasing further the chance of a complete cure.
Patients almost always receive radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the hospital as out-patients, but hormonal treatments are usually given in the form of tablets taken at home.
The Bath Cancer Unit at the RUH offers the whole range of state of the art non-surgical treatments with radiotherapy and drugs, under the supervision of consultants in both clinical and medical oncology and an associate specialist, all specialising in the care of patients with breast cancer.
The team is based in RUH North by William Budd ward, and work very closely with the RUH breast unit.
Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are given by teams of highly qualified and experienced radiographers and nurses respectively.
Treatments are offered in accordance with both Avon,Somerset and Wiltshire Cancer Services (ASWCS) cancer network and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines and protocols.
Some treatments are given before surgery and some after surgery. Treatments given before surgery are called Neo Adjuvant therapies and those given after surgery are called Adjuvant Therapies.