Content Overview 
- Learn About Additional Tests If Recommended
- Summary
- Breast Cancer Is Not What It Used To Be.
- Take Time Making Medical Decisions.
- Think About Your Goals.
- Commit Yourself To Doing Everything You Can To Reach Your Goal
- A General Overview Of What Happens After A Breast Cancer Diagnosis
- Learn About Your Specific Diagnosis
- Decide Who You Want To Make Medical Decisions.
- Choose The Best Available Cancer Doctors (Oncologists)
- Learn How To Maximize Your Limited Time With A Doctor.
- Treatments Available For Breast Cancer
- Ask All Your Questions Before Agreeing To A Treatment Plan.
- What Happens In A Lumpectomy, a Partial Mastectomy or a Mastectomy.
- If A Mastectomy Is Recommended.
- If A Lumpectomy Is Recommended, Ask About Getting An MRI
- Choosing Between Lumpectomy or Partial Mastectomy and a Mastectomy
- If Radiation Is Recommended.
- If Chemotherapy Is Recommended.
- If Wait And See Is Recommended
- Second Opinions Are A Good Thing.
- Non-traditional Treatments Should Be Complementary - Not Instead Of
- When A Drug Is Recommended.
- Take Someone With You To Doctor Appointments
- Tools That Will Make The Process Easier
- A Cancer Prevention Lifestyle Helps
- What To Do If Your Diagnosis Is Metastatic Breast Cancer Or An Unusual Or Rare Cancer
Breast Cancer In Situ: Managing Your Medical Care: Diagnosis To Treatment Decision
Take Time Making Medical Decisions.
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As a general matter, a decision about what treatment to take does not have to be made immediately. In fact, according to Dr. Peter I Pressman, a noted oncologist specializing in breast cancer: "A sensible goal is to have treatment under way within three to four weeks after diagnosis. Though growth rates for different types of breast cancer can vary, there is no evidence of a measurable change for any of them in a period of three or four weeks. " To put it another way, there are no breast cancer emergencies. Keep in mind that it took years for your cancer to reach the current stage.
All too often, a decision about what treatment(s) to undergo is unnecessarily made during the first visit to a cancer doctor.
Time is NOT of the essence.
There is less likelihood of having a regret about your treatment decision if you take time to let the emotions that appear on diagnosis settle so you can make a decision with a more clear head, do some research about potential treatments, and possibly get a second opinion from another cancer specialist.
Ask the doctor who diagnosed you how long you have to begin treatment. You can then work backwards to set dates by which the various aspects of what needs to happen prior to treatment actually happen.
NOTE: If you become so anxious and frightened that you become unable to think straight or take action, consult with a mental health professional who can help reduce anxiety enough so that you can participate in the decision. (See "To Learn More.")
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