Breast Cancer

Individualized breast cancer care

At UCSF Health, we consider many factors when selecting the right breast cancer treatments for your needs. Our doctors partner with you to customize your care plan according to the type and stage of cancer you have, your age and overall health, and your personal preferences and needs. Our goal is to deliver the safest, most effective treatments while maximizing your quality of life.

More effective therapies, fewer side effects

For many people, long-term positive outcomes can be achieved with less aggressive treatments, resulting in a lower risk of complications. Through the expertise of our cancer specialists and access to the latest therapies and clinical trials, we can often offer treatment options with fewer side effects. These approaches may include:

• Active surveillance

• Less invasive surgery

• Lower doses of chemotherapy

• Shorter courses of radiation

• Targeted therapies for hereditary cancers

Advanced breast cancer treatments

Your treatment plan may include:

• Breast cancer surgery. Our breast surgeons use techniques that preserve as much healthy breast tissue as possible. We offer microsurgical breast reconstruction, which leads to better aesthetic outcomes.

• Radiation therapy. Our radiation oncologists use the most sophisticated technology to target tumors and spare healthy tissue. Whenever possible, we recommend shorter courses of radiation to minimize disruption to your life.

• Chemotherapy. Our medical oncologists use the latest cancer-fighting drugs, while striving to reduce side effects whenever possible. For example, we offer scalp cooling to help prevent chemotherapy-related hair loss.

• Hormone therapy. Some breast cancers need hormones like estrogen to grow. Depending on your age and the type of cancer you have, we may recommend medication that blocks the effects of these hormones.

• Immunotherapy. People with cancer that has spread from their breast (metastatic breast cancer) may benefit from these medications that boost their immune system so it can better fight cancer. Our cancer immunotherapy specialists offer the latest treatment options.

• Targeted therapy. We use drugs that target specific molecules on cancer cells to prevent the cells from growing and dividing. Targeted therapy may be an option for people with HER2-positive breast cancer or BRCA gene mutations.