What Kind of Questions Do You Have to Ask if You Have Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is an insidious disease that affects many women. Check what you have to know about it before you decide on treatment.

 

 

Only when you think of breast cancer, you become aware of how pointless is the comparison and obsession with the size of your breasts. (PhotoXpress)

 

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Many women have to face the diagnosis of breast cancer. For that reason, this article contains five questions the replies to which will enable you to choose the appropriate treatment. Before lumpectomy or mastectomy is performed, it’s advisable that you try finding out more about all your options. Consult your doctor about everything to get all the answers with regard to your possibilities, procedures and rehabilitation.

 

1. Why is lumpectomy performed instead of mastectomy, or vice versa?

It’s good to know why you have to undergo a certain operation. Most women would like to retain the shape of their breasts. If a tumor is too large and its removal would deform your breasts to a large extent, lumpectomy is pointless. Some women would rather have mastectomy because they feel safe from a recurrence of cancer. However, none of the methods is 100% effective against the recurrence. Your doctor should explain your condition and the most optimal procedure to you.

2. What does an operation involve?

Prior to operation, try to gather detailed information on what it involves. Ask if biopsy of lymph nodes will be performed. This, for example, extends the period of narcosis. If it’s determined that lymph nodes contain cancer cells, they’ll be removed to reduce the chances of a recurrence. In breast cancer, lymph nodes are usually removed under your arm.

3. Recovery

Find out how long you have to stay in the hospital or clinic. In the case of lumpectomy, you’ll go home the same day. Try to find out how long you’ll need to recover, what kind of limitations apply to the period of recovery (at work, in driving, etc.), what can you expect with respect to your general well-being or special sensations in your breasts and, finally, how your breasts will look like after surgery.

4. Does any type of treatment offer better chances of recovery than other types of treatment?

If you have stage 1 or stage 2 breast cancer, lumpectomy followed by chemotherapy is as effective as mastectomy. Nevertheless, don’t draw your own conclusions, but ask your doctor how specific your tumor is and trust him/her as regards the choice of the best treatment. If your doctor doesn’t have an answer why one type of treatment is better than another, get an opinion from another doctor.

5. How do you take care of yourself after surgery?

Together with your doctor, work out a plan how to cope with the new situation. Rehabilitation is a long-lasting process that includes physical and psychological aspects. Try to find out more about your options and make arrangements for regular check-ups in the case of a recurrence of cancer.

 

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