If you have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, it is crucial for you to be aware of your options and to remember that you can fight this awful disease. Therefore, it is a good idea to ask your oncologist the following three questions so that you can have a better idea of what you need to do to beat your cancer.
#1-When Will You Start Treatment?
While early treatment is almost always the best option, choosing the exact date will often depend on a variety of factors. For instance, if your cancer has progressed, you could find yourself on an IV or in the hospital within the day. Alternatively, if your cancer is in the early stages, your doctor may allow you to wait a few days to make arrangements. Early treatment frequently requires a lumpectomy to remove the cancerous tissue, followed soon after by radiation.
#2-How Long Will Your Treatments Take?
Given that one out of eight women in the US will develop breast cancer in their lifetime and almost 1/4 of a million of those will experience invasive breast cancer, having a reasonable idea of the period of time you will need care is essential. Therefore, it's crucial to know not only how many days and weeks you will need treatment, but also how long the treatment will take.
For instance, it is not unusual to be able to finish a radiation treatment within three weeks and for them to be accessed five days a week. Chemotherapy is usually provided in a series of cycles over three to six months. However, aggressive, recurrent or non-responsive cancer may require more aggressive treatment. It is fairly common to need breaks during those cycles to allow the body to recover from the challenges of chemotherapy.
#3-Will You Receive Chemotherapy Treatments At Home, And If So, How?
The topic of how you will be receiving chemotherapy is actually two-fold. Specifically it addresses whether you will be able to receive your chemotherapy in the privacy of your home or if you need to go to the hospital or medical office to get it. The second aspect of that relates to whether you will be given it as a pill or through your IV. In some instances, it will be up to you to decide which you prefer.
It is crucial to remember that battling breast cancer is very challenging, both physically and emotionally. As a result, don't forget to make the choices that are right for you, so don't choose to undergo it in a hospital if you can get it at home and would be more comfortable doing so. Make sure that you are choosing what is right for you and not what is easier or more comfortable for your friends or family members.
In conclusion, breast cancer is treatable and many women survive it. If you have been diagnosed with this disease, you need to plan an immediate visit with your oncologist and determine how you can beat your cancer.
Share16 November 2016
I am a mother of four wonderful children, and like other parents, I have been to my fair share of health care clinics. It seems like my children are always getting scrapes and coming down with colds. When I was a new parent, I never knew whether I should take my injured or ill child to the emergency room or local urgent care facility. I received some simple advice from a seasoned parent that made my decisions easier that I want to pass onto all new parents, along with other health tips I've learned. he told me that she tended to take her children to the ER when they were bleeding or had very high temperatures and took them to the local urgent care for any other problem. I have followed her advice ever since, and my children remain healthy and happy!
