100 Questions and Answers About Breast Cancer

by Brown, Zora K.; Leffall, Lesalle D.; Platt, Elizabeth

• ISBN13: 9780763718534
• ISBN10: 076371853X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-10-01
• Publisher: Jones & Bartlett

Summary

EMPOWER YOURSELF! Whether you're a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient, a survivor, or a friend or relative of either, this book offers help. The only text to provide the doctor and patient's view, 100 Questions and Answers About Breast Cancer gives you authoritative, practical answers to your questions about treatment options, post-treatment quality of life, sources of support, and much more. An invaluable resource for anyone coping with the physical and emotional turmoil of this frightening disease.

Table of Contents

Foreword	v
Preface	vii
Introduction	xi
Part 1. The Basics	1	(14)
Questions 1-7 give background information about breast cancer with such topics as
What is cancer?
What causes breast cancer? How common is it?
Are there different types of breast cancer?
Part 2. Risk Factors	15	(16)
Questions 8-11 discuss risk factors, including
What risk factors determine my likelihood of getting cancer?
How do I tell which factors should concern me?
Part 3. Prevention	31	(22)
Questions 12-25 are concerned with minimizing breast cancer risk
What is a breast self-exam, and why should I perform one? What is a clinical breast exam?
Do mammograms prevent breast cancer? Who should get one, and why?
I have no family history of breast cancer, so why worry?
How do genes affect breast cancer risk? Is there a ``breast cancer gene''?
Part 4. Diagnosis	53	(14)
Questions 26-31 outline the steps in determining whether you have cancer
I've found a lump in my breast. What should I do now?
How is a mammogram performed? What might show up on a mammogram?
Why do I need a biopsy if a mammogram has located a mass?
Part 5. Treatment	67	(84)
Questions 32-67 give an extended overview of treatment options, treatment side effects and complications, options for breast reconstruction, and prospects of recurrence
What options are available for the treatment of breast cancer?
What do the different stages of cancer mean?
How do I prepare for surgery or radiation therapy?
What drugs are most commonly used to treat breast cancer? What is meant by hormonal therapy?
What are some of the side effects of chemotherapy, and what causes them? How can they be treated?
Are there alternative treatments for breast cancer?
Part 6. Changes Cancer Brings	151	(36)
Questions 68-86 discuss ways to cope with emotional and physical changes that occur after cancer diagnosis and treatment
How do I get my life back to normal?
Since my diagnosis of cancer, I'm not able to concentrate. Why is this happening?
Does positive thinking have any power in the healing process? How do I motivate myself?
Why is it so difficult to tell friends and loved ones about my cancer diagnosis? Is there a way for me to talk to my children without frightening them?
What if I get pregnant while I'm getting radiation or chemotherapy?
Part 7. Coping with Treatment and Side Effects	187	(24)
Questions 87-99 address issues related to pain, hair loss, and other side effects. Practical matters such as financial and legal issues related to treatment are also discussed
What can I do to deal with hair loss?
How can I relieve the pain associated with treatment? Are pain drugs addictive?
Do women's support groups really help?
Where can I find help with the expense if I don't have insurance?
Appendix	211	(18)
A list of Web sites, organizations, and literature to help breast cancer patients and their families find additional resources on general and specific topics related to breast cancer
Glossary	229	(8)
Index	237