A Breast Cancer Journey: Your Personal Guidebook, 2E

by From the Experts at the American Cancer

• ISBN13: 9780944235508
• ISBN10: 0944235506
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-07-01
• Publisher: American Cancer Society

Summary

Whether you've just been diagnosed or have a loved one with breast cancer, A Breast Cancer Journey will supply you with invaluable, up-to-date information about diagnosis, treatment options, and the path ahead. Book jacket.

Author Biography

American Cancer Society is a trusted provider of unbiased general information and personalized cancer-related health information and guidance. Its goals emphasize prevention, early detection, and screening; comprehensive treatment information that can help patients make informed decisions; practical answers to patients' questions about work, insurance, money, and planning for the future; and strategies for coping with the physical symptoms and emotional effects of cancer.

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii
Introduction	1	(10)
About This Book
How the Book Is Organized
How to Use This Book
Survivorship
About the American Cancer Society
Looking Ahead
Part One Diagnosis: Brest Cancer
Chapter 1 What Is Breast Cancer?	11	(6)
Normal Breast Tissue	12	(1)
The Significance of the Breast	12	(1)
Types of Breast Cancer	13	(4)
Adenocarcinoma
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
Infiltrating (or Invasive) Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)
Infiltrating (or Invasive) Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)
Inflammatory Carcinoma
In Situ
Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS)
Medullary Carcinoma
Mucinous Carcinoma
Paget's Disease of the Nipple
Phyllodes Tumor
Tubular Carcinoma
Chapter 2 Why Did I Get Breast Cancer?	17	(10)
Risk Factors That Cannot Be Changed	18	(4)
Gender
Aging
Genetic Risk Factors
Personal History of Breast Cancer
Race
Previous Breast Biopsy
Previous Breast Irradiation
Menstrual Periods
Lifestyle-Related Factors and Breast Cancer Risk	22	(3)
Oral Contraceptive Use
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Not Having Children
Not Breast Feeding
Alcohol Use
Obesity, Weight Gain, and Diets
Physical Inactivity
Factors with Uncertain or Controversial Impact on Breast Cancer Risk	25	(2)
Environmental Risk Factors
Induced Abortion
Smoking
Myths about Breast Cancer
Chapter 3 Your Breast Cancer Work-Up	27	(10)
Doctor Visit and Examination	27	(1)
Breast Imaging Tests	28	(1)
Breast Biopsy	29	(3)
Needle Biopsy
Surgical/Excisional Biopsy
Examination of Tissue
Other Tests after Cancer Has Been Diagnosed	32	(5)
Chest X-Ray
Bone Scan
Computed Tomography (CT)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Blood Tests
Chapter 4 What Does Your Diagnosis Mean?	37	(18)
The Pathology Report	37	(2)
Patient, Doctor, and Specimen Identification
Clinical Information
Gross Description
Microscopic Description
Special Tests or Markers
Diagnosis
Comment
Summary
Understanding Your Pathology Report	39	(8)
Breast Cancer Staging	47	(2)
T Categories
N Categories
M Categories
Will I Survive?	49	(2)
Understanding Your Prognosis	51	(4)
Chapter 5 Coping with Your Diagnosis and Moving Forward	55	(10)
Isolation	56	(1)
Depression	56	(1)
Anxiety	56	(1)
Looking Ahead	57	(1)
After Your Diagnosis	57	(1)
You Have Time	58	(1)
What Are the Next Possible Steps?	59	(3)
Be Good to Yourself
Educate Yourself
Prepare a List of Questions for Your Doctor
Seek a Second Opinion
Satisfy Your Curiosity
Decide Who to Tell
Anticipate Grief
Get Your Finances in Order
Special Needs of Special Populations	62	(3)
Young Women
Women Who Are Pregnant
Women from Diverse Populations
Men
Chapter 6 Making the Medical System Work for You	65	(28)
Becoming Part of Your Medical Team	65	(1)
Who Your Medical Team Is and What It Does	66	(4)
Anesthesiologist
Medical Oncologist
Nurses
Pathologist
Personal or Primary Care Physician
Physical Therapist/Physiotherapist
Plastic Surgeon/Reconstructive Surgeon
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Therapist
Radiologist
Radiology Technologist
Social Worker
Surgeon
Finding a Doctor	70	(2)
Finding a Treatment Center	72	(3)
Getting a Second Opinion	75	(1)
Designating Your Personal Advocate	75	(1)
Communicating with Your Medical Team	76	(2)
Retaining Information
Making Sure You Understand
Taking Enough Time
Participating in Your Medical Care	78	(1)
Understanding Your Rights as a Patient	79	(1)
Maintaining Your Medical Information	79	(8)
Health Insurance Issues	87	(6)
Coverage
Exploring Care Options
Pre-Existing Conditions
Part Two You Have Choices: Treatment Options
Chapter 7 Exploring Treatment Options	93	(34)
Making an Informed Decision about Treatment Options	93	(5)
Consulting Your Medical Team
Researching Treatment
Side Effects of Treatment
Will I Lose My Breast?	98	(1)
Types of Breast Cancer Treatments and their Side Effects	99	(23)
Surgery
Radiation Therapy
Chemotherapy
Hormone Therapy
Monoclonal Antibody Therapy
Pregnancy and Breast Cancer Treatment	122	(5)
Fertility
Treatment during Pregnancy
Pregnancy Following Treatment
Chapter 8 Making Treatment Decisions	127	(2)
The Breast Cancer Treatment Guidelines for Patients	A-1
Chapter 9 Clinical Trials	129	(8)
What Is a Clinical Trial?	129	(5)
Goals of Clinical Trials
Types of Clinical Trials
Cost of Participating in a Clinical Trial
Will I Receive the Best Possible Care?
Risks of Clinical Trials	134	(1)
Rewards of Clinical Trials	134	(1)
How Can I Find Out About Clinical Trials?	135	(2)
Chapter 10 Complementary and Alternative Treatment Methods	137	(28)
What Are Complementary and Alternative Therapies?	137	(1)
Talking To Your Doctor about Complementary and Alternative Treatment Methods	138	(10)
How Complementary Methods Can Enhance Your Life
Alternative Therapies	148	(14)
Special Diets
Pharmacological Treatments
Herbs, Vitamins, and Minerals
The Promise of a Cure
No Side Effects
Effects on the Immune System
Lack of Regulation
The Placebo Effect
Interpreting Success Stories	162	(3)
Chapter 11 Breast Reconstruction	165	(14)
Who Can Have Breast Reconstruction	165	(1)
Timing of Breast Reconstruction	165	(1)
The Surgical Choices	166	(5)
Breast Implant Procedures
Natural Tissue Reconstructions or Flap Procedures
Nipple and Areola Reconstruction
Considering Reconstruction	171	(2)
What to Expect after Breast Reconstruction Surgery	173	(1)
Breast Reconstruction and Recurrence	174	(1)
Alternatives to Reconstructive Surgery	175	(4)
Part Three Gearing Up for Treatment
Chapter 12 Building Your Support Network	179	(14)
Cancer's Effects on the Family	179	(1)
Talking about Your Cancer	180	(8)
Talking to Your Family about Cancer
Talking to Children about Cancer
Talking to Your Friends about Cancer
Handling Insensitive or Inappropriate Questions
Assembling Your Support Team	188	(5)
Creating Your Unique Support Network
Support Services for Your Body and Soul
Supporting the Person with Cancer: A Guide for Family, Friends, and Caregivers	193	(10)
Talking about Cancer	193	(2)
Supporting the Woman with Breast Cancer	195	(1)
Taking Care of the Person with Cancer: What Caregivers Need to Know	195	(2)
Balancing Caregiving and Your Other
Responsibilities
Caregiving and Offering Support through Diagnosis	197	(1)
Caregiving and Offering Support during Treatment	198	(1)
Transitioning to Recovery	199	(2)
Resuming Physical Intimacy with Your Partner
Life after Cancer	201	(2)
Chapter 13 Taking Care of Practical Matters: Work, Insurance, and Money	203	(26)
Employment and Workplace Issues	203	(6)
Preparing for Time Away From Work
Telling Coworkers
Worries about Discrimination
The Family and Medical Leave Act
Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Insurance and Your Rights	209	(5)
The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act
Claim Disputes
Life Insurance
Health Care Resources	214	(5)
Medicare
Medicaid
Medigap
Medical Assistance
Hill-Burton Program
Veterans' Benefits
Help for Senior Citizens
Options for the Hard-to-Insure
Options for the Uninsured
Making a Financial Plan	219	(3)
Estimate Your Income and Benefits
Estimate Your Expenses
Manage Your Savings and Investments
Plan Your Estate
Sources of Financial Help	222	(7)
Drug Assistance Programs
Paying Your Bills
Home Equity Loans and Conversions
Retirement
Family Loans
Other Organizations
Welfare Office
Bankruptcy
Part Four What to Expect During and After Treatment
Chapter 14 Coping with Symptoms and Side Effects	229	(26)
Fatigue	230	(1)
What You Can Do to Combat Fatigue
Depression	231	(1)
What You Can Do to Combat Depression
Sleep Problems	232	(1)
What You Can Do to Combat Sleep Problems
Pain	232	(6)
What is Pain?
Managing Pain
What You Can Do to Relieve Pain
Factors That Can Increase Pain
Wound Care after Surgery	238	(1)
Lymphedema	239	(4)
How to Help Prevent and Control Lymphedema
Hair Loss	243	(1)
What to Do to Cope with Hair Loss
Nausea and Vomiting	244	(2)
What to Do to Control Nausea
What to Do to Control Vomiting
Changes in the Shin	246	(1)
What to Do to Relieve Skin Irritations
Constipation and Diarrhea	247	(1)
What to Do to Relieve Constipation
What to Do to Relieve Diarrhea
Appetite and Weight Changes	248	(2)
What to Do to Combat Weight Loss and Poor Appetite
What to Do if You Gain Weight
Mouth Sores and Sore Throat	250	(2)
What to Do to Soothe Mouth Sores and Sore Throat
Nail Changes	252	(1)
Caring for Your Nails
Sexual and Reproductive Changes	252	(1)
Pain
Vaginal Dryness
Hot Flashes
Changes in Memory and Concentration	253	(2)
What to Do to Improve Your Memory
Chapter 15 Staying Emotionally Healthy and Nurturing Relationships	255	(32)
After Treatment Ends	255	(1)
Facing the Future
Acknowledge Your Feelings
Coping Strategies	256	(14)
Increasing Knowledge
Expressing Feelings
Rebuilding Self-Esteem
Changing Thought Patterns
Thought Stopping
Graded Task Assignments
Distraction
Denial
Gaining Perspective
Laughter
Complementary Methods
Asking for Help
Feeling Alone	270	(2)
Seek Support When You Need It
Joining a Support Group
Resuming Intimacy	272	(8)
Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder
Sexuality
Getting Back on Track with Your Partner
Rekindling the Flame
Intimacy after Mastectomy
Intimacy and Breast Reconstruction
Dating after Breast Cancer	280	(2)
Cancer's Effects on You
Why Talk about Your Cancer
When to Talk about Your Cancer
The Possibility of Rejection
Improving Your Social Life
Family Issues	282	(2)
Lifestyle Changes and Improvements	284	(3)
Diet
Exercise
Work
Play
Chapter 16 The Possibility of Recurrence: If Cancer Returns	287	(12)
What Is Recurrence and Why Does It Happen?	287	(1)
Types of Recurrence	288	(1)
Fear of Recurrence	288	(2)
The Importance of Follow-Up Care	290	(1)
Reducing the Risk of Recurrence	290	(2)
Lifestyle Factors
Adjuvant Therapy
Hormonal Influences
Second Cancer	292	(1)
Dealing with a Diagnosis	293	(2)
The Importance of Emotional Support
Treatment for Recurrence and Second Cancer	295	(1)
Advanced and Metastatic Cancer	295	(4)
Part Five Creating a Wellness Plan for the Rest of Your Life
Chapter 17 Taking Care of Yourself: Health and Wellness	299	(24)
Creating a Wellness Plan	300	(3)
What is a Wellness Plan?
Taking Care of Your Body: Follow-Up Care	303	(7)
Mammography
Clinical Breast Examination (CBE)
Breast Self-Examination (BSE)
Maintaining Your Health and Making Positive Lifestyle Changes	310	(8)
Nutrition, Breast Cancer, and General Health and Wellness
Emotional and Spiritual Dimensions of Wellness	318	(4)
Staying Emotionally Healthy
Dealing with Stress
Dealing with Depression and Anxiety
Finding Meaning in Your Life
Strengthening Your Spirit
Facing the Future	322	(1)
Chapter 18 Channeling Your Energy	323	(4)
Volunteering	323	(2)
Why Volunteer
Where to Volunteer
Advocating for Change	325	(1)
Shaping Your Future	326	(1)
Appendix: women's Health and Cancer Rights Act	327	(2)
Resources	329	(14)
Glossary	343	(20)
Index	363