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Breast Cancer

What Should We Do?

04/28/1997

Question:

TODAY MY MOM WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER. THE DOCTOR SAID THAT IT WAS GOOD BECAUSE WE CAUGHT IT EARLY. HE SAID THAT WE PROBUBLY WOULDN'T HAVE TO DO CHEMO. THEY REMOVED A PART TO TEST IT. TOMORROW AT 4:15THEY ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE OPTIONS. WHAT IS A SAFE AND SURE WAY TO GET RID OF IT WITH OUT CHEMO. REMOVE THE WHOLE BREAST? OR WHAT, PLEASE WRITE BACK SOON.

Answer:

This can be a very frightening and difficult time for you, your Mom and the whole family. You all probably have many concerns about the treatment and the future. This is the time for your Mom and family to gather as much information as you can before making any decisions. So I am happy you wrote to me as one source of information. Doctors may choose from different types of treatment depending upon the extent of the disease at the time of diagnosis, your Mom's medical history, the type of tumor,and other factors. You should feel confident that her doctor will take steps to see that she continues to lead an active and full life. Before your Mom consents to any course of treatment, be sure your doctor lets you know the recommended procedure, its purpose, risks and side effects associated with it, other alternatives, and advantages and disadvantages of one treatment over another. She has time to seek a second opinion, ask for consultation from an oncologist(a doctor specializing in cancer), or from a plastic surgeon. Mastectomy is the most common treatment for breast cancer which removes the entire breast and sometimes a few of the underarm lymph nodes to see if the cancer has spread beyond the breast. An alternative surgery is called lumpectomy followed by radiaton therapy(also called breast sparing surgery). The breast sparing surgery is appropiate and provides survival equivalent to mastectomy and axillary dissection of lymph nodes. As I said the type of surgery that the doctor recommends depends upon the size of the tumor and where it is. Other sources of information you may want to gather are from the American Cancer Society in your area. Look in the telephone book for the number to call. Also, you can call the Cancer Information Service which is a toll free telephone service to answer any questions about cancer. Call 1-800-4-CANCER for that service. The American Cancer Society has many pamphlets and books to educate you and your family about breast cancer. They will give you the names of support groups that will help you and your Mom through this period of time of treatment and even after. The support groups are women who have had breast cancer and have many things in common. These women who had the same experiences will take away some of the fears that you are all bound to have. Feel comfortable going with your Mom to these support groups. Don't forget to go to your local library for books and literature about breast cancer. Your Mom may feel pressured to decide on a course of treatment in a brief period of time. Allow her to say her feelings and fears as this will help her to cope. You can help her by getting more information from the above resources I have mentioned. I can tell you are concerned and interested in her treatment. Your support means a great deal to her. Please feel free to write back to me with any other concerns. I wish you all the best.

For more information:

Go to the Breast Cancer health topic, where you can:

Response by:

University of Cincinnati Janet Trigg, RN, MSN, EdD
Formerly:
College of Nursing
University of Cincinnati
Janet Trigg, RN, MSN, EdD