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
Tools That Will Make The Process Easier
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Just like we used to show up in school with necessary personal tools, this is a good time to consider the following:
Getting Organized
Putting things in order in the beginning will save you a lot of time and possibly money later on when you may not be feeling as well as you do now.
- Create or obtain a medical binder where you can store your medical records and other health related information. (See "To Learn More.")
- Think about the best place to store your copy of your health insurance correspondence. (Survivorship A to Z provides information about how to get organized if needed. See "To Learn More.")
- While you are at it, be sure your important papers are stored in the correct place. (We tell you how in "To Learn More.")
Get access to the Internet
The internet has become an important tool for both communication and obtaining information.
- The internet provides easy access to most doctors (more and more doctors are communicating with patients by e-mail).
- The internet provides a means of obtaining support, both through support groups and to connect people in a similar situation one-on-one.
- Health condition, treatment and side effect information is available on the internet.
- If you cannot afford to buy even a low end computer, you can rent one, or rent a computer and time as needed at an Internet Cafe. Many libraries provide free access to the internet. (Keep in mind that a lot of web sites do not have correct information, or information which is biased to the owner of the site. See Survivorship A to Z information about how to do medical research on the internet for more information. See "To Learn More.")
If you cannot afford to buy even a low end computer, you can rent one, or rent a computer and time as needed at an Internet Cafe. Many libraries provide free access to the internet.
Buy Or Rent
- An inexpensive tape or digital recorder so you can record sessions with your doctor and replay them later. (Be sure to get the doctor's consent before recording any session). NOTE: Before buying, check your mobile phone. It may have recording capabilities.
- A fax machine or other inexpensive mechanism which allows you to receive and send medical and other reports.
To Learn More
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