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Just Diagnosed With Breast Cancer
What is a pathology report?
When a piece of tissue is taken from the body (a biopsy), it is examined by a type of doctor called a pathologist. He or she then writes a report about the findings. This is called a pathology report. It will tell your healthcare team the stage of the tumor. Be sure to ask your healthcare team to give you a copy of the report and review it with you. And ask any questions you have about the results.
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How can I better understand my diagnosis?
It is okay if you do not understand all that your healthcare team tells you right away. What is important is that you ask your doctor about the things you do not understand. If you don't feel that you can talk with your doctor, talk with a different member of your healthcare team, such as a nurse. They can explain it by using other words or show you a picture or diagram of what they are talking about.
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What are my treatment options?
There are many treatments for breast cancer. Your treatment will depend on many factors, such as the stage of your tumor. Breast cancer treatment options may include:
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Surgery
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Radiation therapy, which uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells in one part of the body
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Chemotherapy, a type of medicine that kills cancer cells but can also harm normal cells
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Hormone therapy, which keeps the body's hormones from helping cancer cells to grow
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Medicine that may block the growth of cancer cells
Talk with your healthcare team about your treatment options. Together you can make the choice that is best for you.
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Should I get a second opinion?
You need to be confident in the care that you are getting. A second opinion may give you the chance to gather and think about all the facts and options before choosing a treatment option. You may worry that you might offend your doctor by getting a second opinion. But most doctors won't mind. And some insurance companies require you to get a second opinion, but you may want to be sure the visit is covered.
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Who is on my healthcare team?
Many types of healthcare providers make up a cancer treatment team, such as:
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Medical oncologist
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Radiation oncologist
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Surgeon
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Oncology nurse
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Registered dietitian
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Plastic surgeon
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Oncology social worker
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What should I talk about with my healthcare team?
Your healthcare team is there to help answer any questions you have. To learn the most from them, it is important to be open and honest. And ask any questions you have-even if you think they are about something that is not important. It may help to write your questions down ahead of time and take notes during your visit.
Check the questions below that you want to ask your healthcare team, and build a checklist that you can take on your next office visit:
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