Content Overview 
- Learn About The Tests Your Doctor May Suggest.
- Summary
- Breast Cancer Is Not What It Used To Be.
- Take Time Making A Treatment Decision
- Commit Yourself To Doing Everything You Can To Beat Your Disease.
- Think About Your Goals
- A General Overview Of What Happens After A Breast Cancer Diagnosis
- Learn About Your Specific Diagnosis.
- Choose The Best Available Cancer Doctor (An Oncologist).
- Decide Who You Want To Make Medical Decisions.
- Consider Available Treatments.
- Ask All Your Questions Before Agreeing To A Treatment Plan.
- Lumpectomy, a Partial Mastectomy or a Mastectomy.
- If A Mastectomy Is Recommended.
- When A Drug Is Recommended.
- If Radiation Is Recommended.
- If Chemotherapy Is Recommended.
- Get A Second Opinion
- Non-traditional Treatments Should Be Complementary - Not Instead Of
- Learn How To Maximize Your Limited Time With A Doctor.
- Drugs And Treatments Do Not Work In A Vacuum.
- Tools That Will Make The Process Easier
- Take Someone With You To Doctors' Appointments
- IF YOUR DIAGNOSIS IS OF METASTATIC BREAST CANCER OR AN UNUSUAL OR A RARE CANCER.
Advanced Breast Cancer: Managing Your Medical Care: Diagnosis To Treatment Decision
Choose The Best Available Cancer Doctor (An Oncologist).
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Doctors who specialize in the treatment of cancer are known as Oncologists (on -col-o-gists).
The three primary types of oncologists are:
Take time choosing the best cancer doctors available. Many people make the choice by the seat of their pants, often on the belief that a choice has to be made right away. In fact, there is generally time to gather facts and make a reasoned decision.
The doctor who gave you your diagnosis can tell you how much time you have. It is not unusual to have at least three or four weeks after diagnosis to get treatment started.
Survivorship A to Z has a document noted in "To Learn More" about how to choose an oncologist, including how to locate potential candidates. As you will see, one of the factors to consider is the hospital he or she is affiliated with.
In addition to the standard questions, consider other aspects you may want in a doctor. For instance, some women still want an "omniscient" doctor to tell them what to do. Others prefer doctors who will discuss everything with them. And still others want a great deal of information but prefer to defer to the doctor for decision making. There is no right or wrong style. Do not feel guilty if your needs are not the same as those of your friend or neighbor. Remember, the key is what works best for you.
Interview several doctors until you find the one that is best suited to your individual needs.
If there are several doctors you like and you are having difficulty choosing among them, Survivorship A to Z provides an easy to use Evaluator in "To Learn More."
NOTES:
- If you haven't already, this is a time to learn how to maximize your time with a doctor. Even if you are used to working with doctors, Survivorship A to Z information is likely to provide suggestions for making your limited time with a doctor more effective.
- Look at the Survivorship A to Z article about how to get through waiting periods. In the current case, the techniques can be used while waiting for appointments to permit you to make your decision as an informed consumer.