Breast cancer
, if treated early, has a high survival rate. If you've been diagnosed with breast cancer, getting the best treatment available requires that you become an informed patient. Here are some questions you should ask your doctor.
Diagnosis
Ask your doctor if he is certain you have breast cancer. Make sure you have an experienced pathologist reading the results of your breast biopsy so that there are no mistakes.
Ask whether more than one pathologist has read the results. Most groups have multiple pathologists review cancer diagnoses.You should always be free to take your results to another pathologist for a second opinion.
Since there are many types of breast cancers, ask what type you have. Also ask if the cancer has spread to other areas of your breast.
Treatment
Ask about the medical team you will be dealing with. The team usually includes a pathologist, surgeon, and radiologist that will give their input on your treatment and care.
Ask how available your team is during treatment or other times when you have questions.
Ask when you need to decide about treatment. You may need time to research on your own or come up with additional questions.
Ask what type of treatments are available.
Follow-Up Care
When deciding on the best treatment method, ask about follow-up care and what you should do to keep as healthy as possible.
Ask your doctor what treatment he thinks is best for you.
Ask what the side effects occur are for each treatment.
Ask your doctor for any pamphlets or other reading material that deal with breast cancer. Being informed is the best way to deal with a diagnosis of breast cancer.
Tags: your doctor, best treatment, breast cancer, breast cancer, deal with, what type
