Surgery
Radiation Therapy
Treatment Decisions
Additional Therapy
Treatment Team
Important decisions are always hard to make, particularly when they concern your health. However, there are a number of things you can do to make decisions about breast cancer treatment easier. One is gathering information.
• Talk with your doctor. There are a number of treatments that may be used for breast cancer. To make sure you will be comfortable with your decision to have a particular treatment, you may want to get a second medical opinion. Obtaining a second opinion does not mean you do not trust your doctor; it means you are insuring that you are receiving the best possible care and treatment that exists.
• Gather additional information from published reports. Many articles and books have been written about breast cancer for patients and professionals. There is also much information about cancer in general. Others are available at local libraries and may be available through local offices of the American Cancer Society.
• Log onto the BreastCancer.org website or other related web sites.
• Discuss treatment options with friends and relatives. Although you and your doctor are in the best position to evaluate treatment options, it sometimes helps to discuss your feelings with others whose judgment you respect. Often, close friends and relatives can provide insight that can help your own thinking.
• Talk with other women who have had breast cancer. Many women who have been treated for breast cancer are willing to share their experiences. Your local American Cancer Society (ACS) office may be able to direct you to such women through its Reach to Recovery program. This program, which works through volunteers who have had breast cancer, helps women meet the physical, emotional and cosmetic needs of their disease and its treatment. Some ACS offices have volunteer visitors who have had a mastectomy, breast reconstruction, radiation or chemotherapy. Sometimes they are able to meet with women before surgery. Contact your local ACS office for additional information.
