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
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.")
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
- An inexpensive tape or digital recorder so you can record your 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.
Please share how this information is useful to you.
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