Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerFirst, bring an notebook and a friend or family member to take notes for you.
You'll want to know what are your options for treatment. What will be the side effects from these treatments? Do you qualify for a clinical trial?
A great book is "100 questions & answers about Breast Cancer" by...
First, bring an notebook and a friend or family member to take notes for you.
You'll want to know what are your options for treatment. What will be the side effects from these treatments? Do you qualify for a clinical trial?
A great book is "100 questions & answers about Breast Cancer" by Harold P. Freeman, MD.
Most of all, remember, it's your life. Take time to make the best descisions for you and your family.
Hope it goes well.
As far as any concerns you may have concerning treatment options that your oncologist will recommend, before you decide on anything please request an Oncotype DX test. Most insurance companies now cover this, and depending on your score you could be spared some of the more aggressive treatments....
As far as any concerns you may have concerning treatment options that your oncologist will recommend, before you decide on anything please request an Oncotype DX test. Most insurance companies now cover this, and depending on your score you could be spared some of the more aggressive treatments. For example, my oncologist recommended chemotherapy, however my Oncotype DX score was an 11, very low on a scale to 100, which indicated my risk for it coming back was relatively low, and that chemo was more of risk than a benefit.
Asked by anonymous
PatientWhat your pathology results showed what stage and type of cancer you have. What is the course of treatment and how long. What are other choices to treat it Take someone with you to the office visit allow them to ask questions also when you are with the oncologist it can be overwhelming and...
What your pathology results showed what stage and type of cancer you have. What is the course of treatment and how long. What are other choices to treat it Take someone with you to the office visit allow them to ask questions also when you are with the oncologist it can be overwhelming and you draw a blank. If you already know the type of cancer research it before you see the doctor so you have a heads up on what the course of treatment maybe. Breast cancer. Org is a good site also dr Susan love research foundation
Asked by anonymous
This is a great resource for cutting edge information. You can sign up for their monthly free newsletter. There is much information about the latests tests and treatments. It is out of Johns Hopkins. http://www.hopkinsbreastcenter.org/artemis/ You can go back into their archives.
Comment 0There are several resources besides this site. Although this site is filled with a lot of knowledgeable wise caring people that are very willing to answer your questions sharing there own experiences with you. Some other sites are Breast cancer.org and if you are considering reconstruction...
There are several resources besides this site. Although this site is filled with a lot of knowledgeable wise caring people that are very willing to answer your questions sharing there own experiences with you. Some other sites are Breast cancer.org and if you are considering reconstruction http://www.plasticsurgery.org/ this site will help you find out more about the different types of reconstruction procedures The susan love research foundation also is a great site to get answered to your questions. Also the American cancer society in your state should have a reach for recovery program. They have volunteers that you can talk to that are breast cancer survivors. This last link is a link to my personal story of my breast cancer experience I take you from my initial diagnosis my surgery bilateral subcutaneous mastectomies with reconstruction and then my recovery and reflection a year latter. Hope this helps. Take care http://home.roadrunner.com/~amj/
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerHi Debbie, I understand your being scared. Hugs. Make sure you go to a reputable women's center. They may want to do a mammogram with ultrasound first. Make sure they give you an answer that you're satisfied with. If not...then you can have the option of having them do an MRI or biopsy. I've...
Hi Debbie, I understand your being scared. Hugs. Make sure you go to a reputable women's center. They may want to do a mammogram with ultrasound first. Make sure they give you an answer that you're satisfied with. If not...then you can have the option of having them do an MRI or biopsy. I've found you have to be proactive with your health. Let us know how you are. Hugs
This sounds so redundant but I completely agree with Diana. PLEASE let us know.
Comment 1Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerThose are all very good questions to ask, but I just wanted to add something to all women that are starting their journey with breast cancer. A couple of years ago a good friend of mine that has been dealing with stage four breast cancer told me that before any procedure is done for ex:...
Those are all very good questions to ask, but I just wanted to add something to all women that are starting their journey with breast cancer. A couple of years ago a good friend of mine that has been dealing with stage four breast cancer told me that before any procedure is done for ex: lumpectomies, needle biopsies, mastecomies, anything that will require an IV to start drinking a lot of water 3 days in advance. This helps the body and the veins during all procedures. It does work.
Now back tothe questions. I am a breast cancer survivor and a double mastectomy survivor. You need to ask if the cancer would come back. After my needle biopsy and lumpectomy the lab reports came back telling me the breast cancer will come back and that is why I chose the double mastectomy. My breast cancer was only in my left breast. Ask if the cancer is invasive and if it is aggressive. This tells you if it is still inside the walls of the milk ducts and how angry it is.
When you get these questions answered it will help you to discuss with your Surgeon the coarse of action that it best for you, every woman is different. And last but not least, get connected with the Breast Cancer Society. My connection with Beyond the Shock and the Breast Cancer Society has been a tremendous source of information and strength that helps to calm my fears.
Holly
Survivor
I was told it didn't matter if you had a mastectomy, that cancer is in all of us, that something triggers it. I had a lumpectomy two years ago and was told I should be cancer free for at least 10 years. I figure I can always get them cut off later if needed and perhaps if and when my cancer...
I was told it didn't matter if you had a mastectomy, that cancer is in all of us, that something triggers it. I had a lumpectomy two years ago and was told I should be cancer free for at least 10 years. I figure I can always get them cut off later if needed and perhaps if and when my cancer returns there might be better cures by then. We are all with you in spirit during your battle. After your battle is over you will probably appreciate each day as the true gift that it is. Endulge yourself whenever you can.
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerIt didn't happen to me, but my feeling is this is GOOD that it's happened to you. After seeing those articles that Coco suggested, I think it's great that your team has sensed that something may not be right and they're going to look into it. I know the postponement is a pain, but better to be...
It didn't happen to me, but my feeling is this is GOOD that it's happened to you. After seeing those articles that Coco suggested, I think it's great that your team has sensed that something may not be right and they're going to look into it. I know the postponement is a pain, but better to be safe than sorry! Did they take X-rays or something? My therapists did X-rays every Friday to make sure the area was correct, the doctor reviewed it and I saw her on Mondays. So they must have seen something that concerns them. Again, this is good! You'll be done before you know it.
I took Coco's advice and ask all those questions. They were really willing to answer. I also bought aloe. Thanks for all your advice.
Comment 0Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerAsked by anonymous
Survivor since 2008Oh Julie, how awful to have the kind of pain you have had to endure. If you ask your doctor at M.D. Anderson, they should be able to refer you to a facility I your own state. Good luck, Julie. I hope you won't have to travel so far. Take care, Sharon
Comment 1Hi, Julie, I am so sorry for what you are going through. I agree with Sharon . Ask your doctor at MDA who to go to near Boca. Do you know the name of the procedure and what type of docto does it? Maybe a pain specialist? I go to a spine doctor in Jacksonville for epidurals in my spine, but...
Hi, Julie, I am so sorry for what you are going through. I agree with Sharon . Ask your doctor at MDA who to go to near Boca. Do you know the name of the procedure and what type of docto does it? Maybe a pain specialist? I go to a spine doctor in Jacksonville for epidurals in my spine, but I'm sure that the Boca/Miami area would have specialists. I'm so glad that you have found some relief from your pain, and hope that it will heal eventually. (my son is going to FAU in Boca Raton : )
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Beyond The Shock is a comprehensive online guide to understanding breast cancer.
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Beyond The Shock is a collaborative breast cancer guide created by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (NBCF) with the support of the finest medical experts, doctors, and researchers in the world. NBCF utilized ground-breaking technology and the resources of the global medical community to create an accessible platform for understanding a diagnosis of breast cancer.