Booklet: What You Need to Know about Breast Cancer

Treatment

Through continuing research into new treatment methods, women now have more treatment options and hope for survival than ever before. The treatment options for each woman depend on the size and location of the tumor in her breast, the results of lab tests (including hormone receptor tests), and the stage (or extent) of the disease. To develop a treatment plan to fit each patient's needs, the doctor also considers a woman's age and menopausal status, her general health, and the size of her breasts.

Many women want to learn all they can about their disease and their treatment choices so that they can take an active part in decisions about their medical care. They are likely to have many questions and concerns about their treatment options.

The doctor is the best person to answer questions about treatment for a particular patient: what her treatment choices are, how successful her treatment is expected to be, and how much it is likely to cost. Most patients also want to know how they will look after treatment and whether they will have to change their normal activities. Also, the patient may want to talk with her doctor about taking part in a clinical trial, a research study involving people, of new treatment methods. Look at the Clinical Trials section of The Promise of Cancer Research for more information.

Calling the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER is another way to gather up-to-date treatment information, including information about current clinical trials. Cancer information specialists can provide thorough, personalized answers to questions about breast cancer treatment. They can suggest other sources of information and support. They can also talk with callers about questions to ask the doctor. The National Cancer Institute also has a Web site at http://cancertrials.nci.nih.gov that offers detailed information about clinical trials for patients, health professionals, and the public.

Many patients find it helpful to make a list of questions before seeing the doctor. To make it easier to remember what the doctor says, patients may take notes or ask whether they may use a tape recorder. Some patients also find that it helps to have a family member or friend with them when they see the doctor--to take part in the discussion, to take notes, or just to listen.

 

Here are some questions a woman may want to ask the doctor before treatment begins: What are my treatment choices? What are the expected benefits of each kind of treatment? What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment? Are new treatments under study? Would a clinical trial be appropriate for me?

There is a lot to learn about breast cancer and its treatment. Patients should not feel that they need to ask all their questions or understand all the answers at once. They will have many other chances to ask the doctor to explain things that are not clear and to ask for more information. 

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