Learn More About Your Breast Cancer Treatment Options
If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, your treatment options depend on various factors (such as tumor size and metastasis) and may include:
- Hormone therapy: Hormonal drugs, such as tamoxifen, are administered to treat breast cancer and prevent future cancers.
- Chemotherapy: A combination of medications that affects all parts of the body, to kill cancer cells that remain after surgery and radiation. Its purpose is to prevent a recurrence of the cancer and to increase your chances of survival.
- Radiation therapy: This treatment aims to damage or destroy cancer cells by blasting them with radiation from x-ray or gamma ray devices.
- Surgery: All breast cancer patients require some form of surgery. These include:
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- Lumpectomy: Removing the cancerous lump and some of the surrounding tissue.
- Mastectomy: Removing the entire breast tissue
- Reconstructive surgery: An elective surgery that seeks to rebuild the breast.
Several Points You Must Discuss With Your Surgeon If Surgery is Necessary
Find out what your surgeon's level of experience in treating breast cancer. Ask:
- How many women with breast cancer (s)he treats annually?
- What types of surgical procedures (s)he generally utilizes to treat your cancer?
- If (s)he is board certified in surgery?
- If (s)he is affiliated with a medical school or research center that has access to the latest treatments and technologies?
- Do I have any additional treatment options?
- Are you able to perform nodal surgery that could help detect the spread of cancer to the lymph nodes?
- Basic questions about the surgery — Are there side effects? How long will it take to heal? Will you be performing follow-up care?
If the answer to any of your questions is unsatisfactory and your insurance covers a second opinion, feel free to seek out a doctor you trust and with whom you are comfortable.
In addition to the questions you should ask your surgeon, there are several other steps you should personally take prior to a surgery:
- Provide all doctors with a complete picture of your medical history.
- Avoid doctors that force treatments without providing knowledgeable advice first.
- Check your health insurance coverage levels before consenting to potentially expensive treatments.
- Ask how to prepare for surgery.
- Ask what needs to be done in preparation for returning home and what you can expect once you have.
Learn More Information By Speaking With Our Experienced Attorneys
For more information about what to expect from various breast cancer treatments, contact our nationwide lawyers and schedule an appointment for a no-risk consultation. Located in Washington, D.C., we have helped clients across the country. Call us toll free at 888-564-9305.
