When meeting your oncologist for the first time, consider asking these questions to better understand your breast cancer diagnosis and treatment options:
1. What type of breast cancer do I have, and what stage is it
2. Has it metastasized (spread) to other parts of my body?
3. What is my prognosis (outlook)?
4. What Show Full Answer
Ask him to read and explain the details of your biopsy report. Many treatments depend on those markers and some indicate how aggressive the cancer is, how fast the cells divide, what receptors it has etc.
Also, for every treatment he proposes, ask what the effectiveness of those are: % chance of removing tumor or just reducing it, reduction of recurrence % etc.
I would also ask "If I were your mother, what would u advise?"
Ask if you will have a nurse navigator assigned to your case (a great resource, and usually quicker to get answers from that the doctor!)
Ask what other resources are available to you through the center. Ours had various in-person support groups and activities (seated Tai-Chi, art, meditation, etc).
There was also a nutritionist on staff, and an off-site office for hair/wig/bras/ prosthetics, etc.
Ours also had a Wellness Center, and for less than $100 you could get several weeks of gym access. I started chemo in the winter- lol! Even a bargain gym membership wasn't getting me back out in the cold after work- lol!
Good luck with your appt! Hugs!
Thanks. That sounds just like icing on a cake with the added resources🦋