Breast cancer is really a “galaxy of diseases”. At the molecular level, there are probably 100s of different kinds of breast cancers. The needed treatments for this galaxy of diseases vary from patient to patient.

Treatment planning includes: Making decisions on surgical options, systemic treatment options, radiation therapy options, diagnosing and treating lymphedema, needed exercise regimens, and long-term survivorship.

If patients are able to be empowered by fully understanding the nature of their breast cancer diagnosis, the nature of their treatment options, as well as complementary adjuncts needed during their treatment, then they are able to begin the process of achieving “emotional reconstruction” from what they believe is a terrible event in their individual lives.

Important concepts are discussed in this video. They include the concepts of personalized cancer care; the heterogeneity of breast cancer; the importance of being treated by a multidisciplinary team; and a discussion of the “lifelong journey” that results from a diagnosis of breast cancer.