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Breast cancer treatment: drugs, side effects and support
Breast cancer is the most-searched tumor type in chemotherapy searches in a 2024 study. Treatment often mixes surgery, radiation, chemo, hormone therapy and targeted drugs, depending on the type (such as hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive or triple-negative).
Drugs
TamoxifenHormone therapy pillIbranceTargeted therapy pill (CDK4/6 inhibitor)VerzenioTargeted therapy pill (CDK4/6 inhibitor)HerceptinTargeted therapy (HER2 antibody)KeytrudaImmunotherapy (PD-1 blocker)LynparzaTargeted therapy pill (PARP inhibitor)Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)Chemotherapy (anthracycline)CyclophosphamideChemotherapy (alkylating agent)Paclitaxel (Taxol)Chemotherapy (taxane)
Regimens
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Common side effects
- Anxiety and distress
- Appetite and taste changes
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- Hair loss from chemo
- Low blood counts and infection risk (neutropenia)
- Mouth sores (mucositis)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Neuropathy (numbness and tingling)
- Skin rash and skin changes
Support groups for breast cancer
- Susan G. Komen: Breast care helpline, treatment assistance and education
- Living Beyond Breast Cancer: Helpline, peer support and programs for metastatic breast cancer
- CancerCare: Free counseling, support groups and financial help
- Cancer Support Community: Support groups, a helpline and the MyLifeLine online community
- Imerman Angels: Free one-on-one matching with a survivor or caregiver mentor
🗣 Patient voices (breast cancer)
Real people sharing their own experiences on YouTube. Everyone's treatment is different; talk with your care team about yours.
Help paying
Start with our cost-help guide. Each drug page links its official program.
Written by the Cancer Side Effects Guide team from FDA labels and leading cancer centers. Not medical advice. · Last updated: October 15, 2026 · How we write
Not medical advice. This page is general information to help you talk with your care team. It can't replace advice from your doctor or nurse. If you have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher during treatment, or any symptom that worries you, call your care team now. In an emergency, call 911.