WHEN BREAST CANCER IS DIAGNOSED
Answers
to these questions will help you understand your diagnosis.
1.What
did my biopsy show?
2.What
kind of breast cancer do I have?
3.What
were the results of my estrogen and progesterone tests? What were
the results of the other tests
4.What
tests will I have before surgery to see if the cancer has spread?
5.Can
I get a copy of the pathology report of the biopsy for my records?
6.How
would you classify the stage of my cancer at this point?
Answers
to these questions below will help you determine the best type
of treatment for you.
1.What
are my treatment options? What procedures are you recommending
for me and why?
2.What
are the potential risks and benefits of these procedures?
3. Will my lymph nodes be removed and tested at the time of my
surgery? Am I a candidate for sentinel node biopsy? Why or why
not?
4.Ask
this question if the tests were not done during the biopsy: Will
estrogen and progesterone receptor tests be done on the tissue
removed during surgery? What will these tests tell you? Will other
special tests be done on the tissue?
5.Am
I a candidate for breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy/partial
mastectomy)?
6.If
a mastectomy is recommended, am I a candidate for reconstructive
surgery?
7.Will
I need additional treatment with radiation therapy, chemotherapy,
and/or hormonal therapy following my surgery? If so, can you refer
me to a medical oncologist or a radiation oncologist? If I do
need chemotherapy and/or radiation, will this affect the timing
of my reconstruction?
8.Can
breast reconstruction be done at the time of the surgery, as well
as later? What would you recommend for me?
9.What
potential risks and benefits are involved?
10.If
I choose not to have reconstruction, how can I find out about
breast prostheses? Will my insurance cover this?
11.How
long do I have to make a treatment decision?
12.What
is a clinical trial? Is there a clinical trial that is enrolling
patients with my type of breast cancer? If so, how can I learn
more?
13.Could
you recommend a breast cancer specialist at another hospital for
a second opinion?
Answers
to these questions below will help you prepare for the results
of your surgery.
1.Where
will the surgical scar(s) be? Can the incision be done with
cosmetic consideration, re: the location of the scar?
2.What
physical and emotional side effects can I expect after the operation?
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