Q: My 56 years old aunt has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The doctor advised her to undergo surgery as soon as possible. She says she is unable to bear the pain even while testing. Will she be able to withstand the surgery? What are the other options?

A:It is impossible to comment upon the treatment modalities of your aunt due to the paucity of information in your query.

I can surely tell you that, as a general rule, surgery remains the mainstay of treatment in all stages of breast cancer, barring metastatic breast cancer (breast cancer, which has spread to other organs). The only issue is the timing of the surgery. Ask your aunt not to panic as the surgery will be done under general anaesthesia and she won't even feel anything.