New Delhi, May 11 -- The first question that most breast cancer patients ask is whether they will need chemotherapy. Their eyes are filled with fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. Patients willingly accept surgery, medication and radiotherapy. Still, once chemotherapy comes into the management of the disease, the stigma of losing femininity, especially hair loss, becomes the most difficult step to take. However, chemotherapy is not required for all breast cancer patients.

Who can avoid chemotherapy?

A selective group of patients can avoid chemotherapy.

Patients with early-stage breast cancers, such as:

DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ)

Paget's disease, a rare form of breast cancer that originates in the nipple

Small tumour size T1, T2, N0...