Fear of the unknown is what is often the most troubling. Not knowing what to expect can make the experience of cancer treatment more uncertain and promote anxiety. One way to counteract that uncertainty is to learn about the various options of cancer treatment available to you and their side effects. The three primary breast cancer treatments are surgery (whether a lumpectomy/partial mastectomy, full radical mastectomy), medical therapy (such as chemotherapy and hormonal therapy), and radiation. The sequencing of the surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, varies depending on your specific situation. Your doctor will explain the recommended treatment plan to you. The goal of this section is to provide you with an overview of breast cancer treatment, its side effects, and some helpful hints to live within those side effects as comfortably as possible.