Breast Cancer Treatment

Expert, personalized breast cancer treatment in San Diego

A smiling mature woman looks out the window with a cup of tea, representing breast cancer treatment at Scripps Cancer Center.

Expert, personalized breast cancer treatment in San Diego

Advances in the treatment and early detection of breast cancer are part of the reasons why breast cancer deaths have been decreasing since 1989 in America. Scripps Cancer Center is a leader in breast cancer treatment, offering innovative options found at only a handful of cancer care centers across the country.


Not only are we leaders in groundbreaking breast cancer care: 


  • Scripps cares for more breast cancer patients than any other San Diego health care provider.
  • Scripps-affiliated physicians comprise half the region’s physician membership in the American Society of Breast Surgeons.
  • Scripps was the first San Diego health care provider to offer centers exclusively dedicated to breast care.


Our multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to cancer care ensures you receive comprehensive care from diagnosis to recovery.

How is breast cancer treated?

How is breast cancer treated?

The most effective treatment for breast cancer depends on several factors, including the type and stage of the cancer. Treatment may include the following:


  • Surgery — an operation to remove the cancer
  • Radiation therapy — using radiation to kill cancer cells
  • Chemotherapy — using drugs to kill cancer cells
  • Endocrine therapy — using hormone-blocking therapy to stop the cells from growing
  • Targeted therapy — using drugs targeting a unique marker on the breast cancer cells
  • Breast cancer clinical trials — using research studies to find new treatments


Patients with stage IIIB or IIIC inflammatory breast cancer are generally treated with chemotherapy to reduce the tumor. In some cases, treatment may include targeted therapy or hormone therapy. Surgery is then performed to remove the breast and nearby lymph nodes, followed by radiation therapy and possibly additional chemotherapy. If cancer has advanced to stage IV (when cancer has spread to other parts of the body, called metastatic breast cancer), treatment may include a combination of chemotherapy, targeted therapy and hormonal therapy.

Breast cancer treatment options at Scripps

Breast cancer treatment options at Scripps

Scripps develops personalized cancer treatment plans from a full array of proven, evidence-based procedures and therapies.

Our approach to breast cancer treatment

Our approach to breast cancer treatment

Scripps Cancer Center's multidisciplinary teams of experienced cancer specialists, nurses and other health professionals customize every patient’s breast cancer treatment plan to reflect not only her medical needs, but her personal and lifestyle needs as well. Additionally, our specially trained nurse navigators coordinate complex cases to provide support and guide patients through their treatment with expertise and compassion.


Scripps offers patients access to some of the nation’s most advanced cancer treatments, including evidence-based treatment protocols and landmark clinical trials. For more on our approach to treating breast cancer, visit our Why Scripps section.

Breast cancer treatment locations

Breast cancer treatment locations

Scripps cares for women at cancer treatment locations throughout San Diego County. In addition to five hospital campuses and numerous outpatient clinics, patients have access to dedicated breast cancer care centers in La Jolla, Torrey Pines and San Diego; state-of-the-art radiation therapy centers in La Jolla, Encinitas and Vista; and outpatient chemotherapy infusion centers across the region.


We are now offering Video Visits for some specialty care appointments. If you are interested in scheduling a Video Visit, contact the provider’s office directly. The doctor’s office will work with you to determine if this is the right type of visit for you.


Learn more about our gamut of cancer care locations in Southern California and the services offered at each. 

Support groups, services and resources

Support groups, services and resources

Scripps offers a comprehensive lineup of support groups, support services, and resources and services to help you along every step of your cancer journey.