Some cancer drugs are given through an injection.
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women in the United States. If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, your doctor will create a treatment plan. Often treatment plans included drugs that are made specifically to fight breast cancer.
Chemotherapy Drugs
Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells or prevent then from growing and spreading. These drugs can be given through an IV, an injection or taken as pill. Common chemotherapy drugs are Adrimycin, Cytoxan, Taxol and Taxotere.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy involves drugs that remove or block hormones that help cells grow. You may be given hormone therapy in combination with chemotherapy. Some common hormone therapies are Femara and Tamoxifen.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy drugs identify and attack specific cancer cells. Since these drugs target only certain cells they do not harm normal cells. These drugs are usually used in combination with chemotherapy and given through an IV. Common targeted therapies are Herceptin, Avastin and Tykerb.
Considerations
Your treatment plan will be based on the stage of your cancer, the presence or lack of metastasis, your personal medical history and your overall health. Not every drug will work for every patient.
Side Effects
All the drugs used to treat breast cancer cause side effects. Side effects will depend on how you take the drug, the dosage and length of treatment. It is important to remember that your doctor is aware of the side effects and feels that the benefits of treatment outweigh the risk of side effects.
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