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Great question — and one that a lot of people want answered upfront! The honest answer is: it varies quite a bit depending on your specific situation, the stage of your cancer, and how your body responds to treatment.

Here's a general breakdown:

Chemotherapy
- Each chemo session can last a few hours (sometimes up to 8 Show Full Answer

Great question — and one that a lot of people want answered upfront! The honest answer is: it varies quite a bit depending on your specific situation, the stage of your cancer, and how your body responds to treatment.

Here's a general breakdown:

Chemotherapy:
- Each chemo session can last a few hours (sometimes up to 8 hours for the first session if multiple drugs are given)
- The full chemo course typically spans several months
- If chemo was given before surgery, your doctor may recommend an additional oral chemo drug (capecitabine) for 18 to 24 weeks afterward Radiation:
- Radiation usually begins 4 to 8 weeks after chemo or surgery
- External beam radiation is typically given 5 days a week for 1 to 6 weeks
- Partial breast irradiation may take just 1 to 3 weeks, sometimes delivered twice daily

So altogether, the full treatment journey — chemo plus radiation — can span many months. Your care team will map out a personalized schedule based on your specific needs, so they're truly the best source for your timeline.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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