A Breast Cancer Journey: Your Personal Guidebook

by American Cancer Society

• ISBN13: 9780944235287
• ISBN10: 094423528X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-10-01
• Publisher: Independent Pub Group

Summary

Gentle and informative guidance to get you through the physical and emotional aspects of the breast cancer experience If you have just been diagnosed or have a loved one with breast cancer, "A Breast Cancer Journey" will give you invaluable, up-to-date information about diagnosis, treatment options, and the path ahead. "A Breast Cancer Journey" is written in a friendly, understandable way, with information that is comprehensive but not overwhelming. Inside you will find: Practical tips on managing the emotions, reactions, and side effects of breast cancer and its treatment Treatment options and potential side effects Updated information on the latest surgical techniques for breast reconstruction, drug therapies, complementary and alternative methods (including special diets and herbal supplements), and genetic research Detailed questions to ask your medical team at each step of the way Wellness plans for recovery and life after cancer

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii
Introduction	xv
About This Book	xv
How the Book Is Organized	xvi
How to Use This Book	xvii
Survivorship	xviii
About the American Cancer Society	xix
Looking Ahead	xix
Diagnosis: Breast Cancer	1	(66)
After Your Diagnosis	1	(9)
Any Way You Feel Is Normal	2	(2)
You Have Time	4	(4)
What Are the Next Possible Steps?	8	(2)
What Is Breast Cancer?	10	(14)
Normal Breast Structure	10	(2)
Types of Breast Cancer	12	(3)
Why Did I Get Breast Cancer?	15	(9)
What Does Your Diagnosis Mean?	24	(13)
The Pathology Report	24	(2)
Understanding Your Pathology Report	26	(5)
Breast Cancer Staging	31	(1)
Will I Survive?	31	(4)
Understanding Your Prognosis	35	(1)
Will I Lose My Breast?	36	(1)
Making the Medical System Work for You	37	(12)
Becoming Part of Your Medical Team	37	(1)
Who Your Medical Team Is and What It Does	37	(5)
Finding a Doctor	42	(1)
Finding a Treatment Center	43	(2)
Getting a Second Opinion	45	(1)
Designating Your Personal Advocate	46	(1)
Communicating With Your Medical Team	47	(2)
Talking About Your Cancer	49	(6)
Talking to Your Family About Cancer	49	(1)
Talking to Children About Cancer	50	(3)
Talking to Your Friends About Cancer	53	(1)
Helping Others Cope	53	(1)
Handling Insensitive or Inappropriate Questions	54	(1)
Assembling Your Support Team	55	(4)
Creating Your Unique Support Network	56	(1)
Support Services for Your Body and Soul	57	(2)
How You May Be Feeling	59	(1)
Tips for Family and Friends	60	(4)
The Caregiver	60	(1)
Communicating and Offering Support	60	(1)
Communicating with Children	61	(3)
Notes	64	(3)
You Have Choices: Treatment Options	67	(106)
Assessing Your Situation	67	(11)
Consulting Your Doctor	68	(2)
Researching Treatment	70	(1)
Health Insurance Issues	70	(8)
Breast Cancer Treatment Guidelines for Patients (NCCN/ACS)	78	(47)
Making Decisions About Breast Cancer Treatment	83	(1)
Inside Breast Tissue	84	(1)
Types of Breast Cancer	85	(1)
Breast Cancer Work-Up	86	(4)
Breast Cancer Stages	90	(2)
Types of Breast Cancer Treatment	92	(3)
Choosing Between Lumpectomy and Mastectomy	95	(1)
Reconstructive Breast Surgery	96	(2)
Other Things to Consider During and After Treatment	98	(2)
About Clinical Trials	100	(3)
Work-Up (Evaluation) and Treatment Guidelines	103	(1)
Decision Trees	103	(22)
Clinical Trials	125	(11)
What Is a Clinical Trial?	125	(4)
Clinical Trial Risks	129	(7)
How Can I Find Out About Clinical Trials?	136	(1)
Therapies Being Studied in Clinical Trials	136	(2)
Chemotherapy	136	(1)
High-Dose Chemotherapy with Stem Cell Transplantation	137	(1)
Radiation Therapy	137	(1)
Monoclonal Antibodies	137	(1)
Biological Therapy/Immunotherapy/Biotherapy/Biological Response Modifier Therapy	138	(1)
Angiogenesis	138	(1)
Breast Reconstruction	138	(9)
Who Can Have Breast Reconstruction	139	(1)
The Surgical Choices	139	(3)
Considering Reconstruction	142	(1)
What to Expect After Breast Reconstruction Surgery	143	(1)
Breast Reconstruction and Recurrence	144	(1)
Alternatives to Reconstructive Surgery	144	(3)
Complementary and Alternative Treatment Methods	147	(14)
What Are Complementary and Alternative Therapies?	147	(1)
Talking to Your Doctor about Complementary and Alternative Treatment Methods	148	(2)
How Complementary Methods Can Enhance Your Life	150	(8)
Alternative Therapies	158	(2)
Interpreting Success Stories	160	(1)
Making An Informed Decision	161	(5)
Prioritizing	163	(1)
Choosing Your Treatment	164	(2)
How You May Be Feeling	166	(1)
Tips for Family and Friends	166	(4)
The Caregiver	166	(1)
Communicating and Offering Support	167	(1)
Communicating with Children	168	(2)
Notes	170	(3)
What to Expect During Treatment	173	(94)
Participating in Your Medical Care	174	(8)
Understanding Your Rights as a Patient	174	(1)
Maintaining Your Medical Information	174	(8)
Work, Insurance, and Money	182	(22)
Workplace Issues	182	(1)
Work Schedule Calendar and Work Duties Log	183	(6)
Insurance and Your Rights	189	(1)
Health Care Resources	190	(7)
Making a Financial Plan	197	(3)
Sources of Financial Help	200	(4)
Coping with Side Effects	204	(21)
Lymphedema	204	(5)
Side Effects of Surgery	209	(3)
Side Effects of Radiation	212	(4)
Side Effects of Chemotherapy	216	(6)
Side Effects of Hormone Therapy	222	(1)
Side Effects of Other Therapies	223	(2)
Effects on Fertility and Sexuality	225	(6)
Fertility	225	(2)
Sexuality	227	(4)
Pain Control	231	(6)
Three-Step Analgesic Ladder for Cancer Pain Management	232	(1)
What Is Pain?	233	(2)
Factors That Can Increase Pain	235	(1)
Pain Relief	235	(2)
Taking Care of Yourself	237	(17)
Coping Strategies	237	(14)
Diet, Exercise, Work, and Play	251	(3)
Cancer's Effects on the Family	254	(5)
Helping Your Family Cope	254	(2)
Helping Children Cope	256	(3)
How You May Be Feeling	259	(1)
Tips for Family and Friends	260	(4)
The Caregiver	260	(1)
Communicating and Offering Support	261	(1)
Other Supporters	261	(1)
Communicating with Children	262	(1)
Signs of Problems	262	(2)
Notes	264	(3)
What to Expect after Treatment	267	(24)
Closing the Umbrella	267	(3)
Feeling a Void after Treatment Ends	268	(1)
Dealing with Fear and Depression	268	(1)
Facing the Future	269	(1)
Intimacy and Sexuality After Treatment	270	(10)
Resuming Intimacy	270	(1)
Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder	271	(1)
Getting Back on Track with Your Partner	272	(1)
Kindling the Flame	273	(1)
Dating after Breast Cancer	274	(6)
The Possibility of Recurrence: If Cancer Returns	280	(5)
What Is a Recurrence and Why Does It Happen?	281	(1)
Types of Recurrence	281	(1)
Fear of Recurrence	281	(1)
Treatment for Recurrence	282	(1)
Follow-Up and Recurrence	283	(1)
Dealing with a Diagnosis of Recurrence	283	(1)
The Importance of Emotional Support	284	(1)
How You May Be Feeling	285	(1)
Tips for Family and Friends	286	(2)
The Caregiver	286	(1)
Communicating and Offering Support	286	(1)
Other Supporters	287	(1)
Communicating with Children	287	(1)
Notes	288	(3)
Preparing for the Rest of Your Life	291	(34)
Maintaining Your Health: Nutrition and Physical Activity	291	(11)
The Effects of Nutrition and Physical Activity on Cancer	292	(1)
The Effects of Nutrition and Physical Activity on General Health and Wellness	293	(1)
American Cancer Society Guidelines on Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer Prevention	293	(3)
The Benefits of Exercise	296	(3)
Which Physical Activities Are Best for You and How to Get Started	299	(1)
Physical Limitations and Conditions	300	(2)
Harnessing Your Energy	302	(15)
Volunteering	303	(4)
Preventing Cancer through Education	307	(3)
Advocating for Change	310	(4)
Giving Back	314	(1)
Shaping Your Future	315	(2)
How You May Be Feeling	317	(2)
Tips for Family and Friends	319	(2)
The Caregiver	319	(2)
Notes	321	(4)
Resources	325	(32)
American Cancer Society Resources	325	(5)
Breast Cancer Organizations	330	(2)
Cancer Information	332	(6)
Patient and Family Services	338	(6)
Home and Hospice Care Information	344	(3)
Surgery, Reconstruction, and Physician Resources	347	(1)
Additional Internet Resources and Information	348	(2)
Where to Purchase Breast Prostheses and Accessories	350	(2)
Additional Reading	352	(4)
States with Insurance Risk Pools	356	(1)
Appendix	357	(18)
Mammography	357	(2)
Mammography Log	359	(1)
Clinical Breast Examination (CBE)	360	(1)
Breast Self-Examination (BSE)	361	(1)
American Cancer Society Answers to Common Questions about Diet and Cancer Risk	362	(7)
Cancer and Environmental Factors	369	(1)
Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act	370	(1)
Patient's Bill of Rights	371	(4)
Glossary	375	(30)
Index	405