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
What To Do If Your Diagnosis Is Metastatic Breast Cancer Or An Unusual Or Rare Cancer
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Get A Second opinion
It is advisable to get a second opinion about your diagnosis and proposed treatment from a National Cancer Institute (NCI) certified Comprehensive Cancer Center. You can locate an NCI center at: https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/factsheet/FactsheetSearch.aspx?FSType=1,2
Once you decide on a treatment, it can be administered by your cancer doctor if you would prefer.
Free air transportation is available to special cancer centers if your treatment cannot be given locally. (See "To Learn More.").
If you cannot travel to such a Comprehensive Cancer Center, you can have the necessary information sent by an overnight carrier or regular post.
Consider Palliative care
If the prognosis is particularly worrisome, consider modifying the treatment goal to preserving your quality of life. A consult with a doctor who specializes in treatment of pain (a palliative-care specialist) can help. Such professionals are trained to consider the patient's entire medical and personal situation and to focus on symptom management and pain relief along with curative treatments. For information about finding a doctor who specializes in palliative-care, click here.
Think About Cutting edge treatments
If there are no mainstream medical treatments available, find out what new treatments are being investigated in clinical trials. Clinical trials involve cutting edge medicine.
If there are no promising treatments in the United States, research whether there are useful treatments abroad. Learn how to spot a phony treatment.
Home Care Is Available If Needed
- Much of what used to be done in a hospital can now be done at home thanks to advances in medical equipment and nurses and doctors (yes, doctors) who go to your home.
- Medical devices can provide monitoring information to your doctors over the internet.
- You can hire home health aides through a service or on your own. Must of the cost of home care is covered by health insurance.
To Learn More
More Information
Home Bound 101 SSI 101: An OverviewRelated Articles
Free Travel To Get A Diagnosis Or For Treatment Travel 101 Travel Outside The United States Planning Ahead It's Never Too Early To File A SSDI Claim SSDI 101: An Overview (Social Security Disability Insurance) SSDI: Before You File Your Claim COBRA
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