IEM

"One who asks a question is a fool for five minutes;
one who does not ask a question remains a fool forever. ~ Chinese proverb

If you have received a positive or possible diagnosis of breast cancer, there are a number of questions that you can ask your doctor. The answers you receive to these questions should give you a better understanding of your specific diagnosis and the corresponding treatment. It is usually helpful to write your questions down before you meet with your health-care provider. This gives you the opportunity to ask all your questions in an organized fashion, and your doctor will greatly appreciate that as well. Remember - their goal is treat you effectively for the best prognosis! As cancer treatments are constantly evolving, specific recommendations and treatments might change and you should always confer with your treatment team regarding any questions.

[Printable version]

The Medical Oncologist:

What kind of breast cancer do I have? (include stage,
   HER2/progesterone/estrogen status)
Why are you recommending this therapy?
What are the risks?
Are there other ways to treat the cancer?
Where do I go for chemotherapy or hormone therapy?
Will I be able to drive myself home after treatment,
   or do I need help?
How long does the treatment last?
What are the risks and side effects?
Will my hair fall out? Will it grow back?
What about premature menopause and infertility?
What should I avoid during treatment?
Should I change my diet or lifestyle?
What has been or will be done to exclude cancer in
   other areas of my body?
Should I stop taking hormone replacement therapy
   (HRT)?

The Cancer Surgeon:

Why are you recommending this procedure?
What are the risks? How do they compare with the
   benefits?
How do I prepare for surgery?
What type of anesthesia will I have?
What happens during and right after surgery?
What about having a port? Can it be placed during surgery?
Who do I talk to about breast reconstruction?
How long will I be in the hospital?
Are there any complications?
When can I go back to work and resume normal
   activities?
What are the risks of lymphedema?

Before surgery, your surgeon should provide:
   Specific instructions to follow in the days
      before surgery
   An overview of the surgical procedures
   Information about recovery and follow-up care
   After surgery, watch for complications such as
     infection or lymphedema, swelling in your arm or
     hand. Call your doctor immediately if you see
     signs of swelling, a build-up of fluid, redness or
     other symptoms of infection.

The nurse...

What is a typical treatment like? What should I
   wear?
Are appointments for the treatment room usually
   running late or on time? Is there a time of day or
   day of the week when the treatment room won't be
   very busy?
What is the plan for anti-nausea medications? If plan
   A doesn't work, what's plan B?
What if I call after a chemo round and say my anti-
   nausea or pain meds aren't working? How long will
   it take to get a new prescription?
Can you make changes in prescriptions without
   talking to the doctor?

The Radiation Oncologist:

What is the goal of radiation therapy?
Does radiation affect fertility?
What are the risks and side effects?
Where do I go for radiation therapy?
How long does each session last?
How many weeks does treatment last?
Does radiation therapy make me radioactive?
What should I avoid during treatment?
Should I change my diet or lifestyle?
Does radiation therapy affect having breast
reconstruction?

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