Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in Indian women. Urban India has, in fact, seen a 100 percent increase in cases of breast cancer in the last decade. About 2,50,000 new cases of breast cancer are expected in India by 2015.

Breast cancer is curable as long as it is detected in the early stages (unfortunately, early stage detection in India is a mere 10 percent, as against 60 percent in the West). Since there is no standardized plan to treat breast cancer, and each treatment is individualized, you must make it a priority upon diagnosis to educate yourself about all the treatment options available in your situation.

Depending on the stage of cancer, the size of the tumor, its location, and whether it has metastasized (spread) to other tissues, some will have more treatment choices than others. The gold standard for breast cancer is mastectomy (complete removal of the breast) and this involves surgery. Some people may be able to preserve their breasts and can choose to undergo a lumpectomy (removal of the malignant tissue in the breast). Sometimes a person who might be eligible for breast preservation may choose a mastectomy to completely eliminate chances of the tumor recurring in the breast (note that a mastectomy does not necessarily guarantee that there will be no recurrence). Some others may need chemotherapy or radiation therapy, in addition to, or independently of, surgical options.

As our understanding of the biology of the disease is increasing rapidly, newer therapeutic molecules are being developed to target the cancer cells. A couple of these -- like Herceptin and Lapatinib -- have already found their niche in selected cases. You must, however, discuss all pros and cons of these molecules with your treating physician.

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