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If you need a biopsy:
What type of biopsy will be performed and why?
How long will the biopsy procedure take? Will I be awake? Will it hurt?
How soon will I know the results?
If I do have cancer, who will talk to me about the treatment? When?
If the diagnosis is cancer:
What kind of breast cancer do I have? Is it invasive?
Has cancer spread to my lymph nodes or internal organs?
What did the hormone receptor test show? What other lab tests were done on
the tumor tissue, and what did they show?
How will the information help the doctor decide what type of treatment or
further tests to recommend?
Before cancer treatment begins:
What is the stage of the disease? (Note: This may be unknown prior to
lymph node dissection.)
What are my treatment choices? Which choices are recommended for me, and
why?
What are the expected benefits of each kind of treatment?
What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment?
Would a clinical trial be appropriate for me?
Will I be able to have children after my treatment?
How long will each course of treatment last?
Will I have to miss work?
How can I prepare for my treatment?
Will I go through menopause as a result of my treatment?
What are my chances of survival, based on the type of cancer I have?
Before breast cancer surgery:
What kind of operation will it be?
How will I feel after the operation? If I have pain, how can you help me?
Where will the scars be and how will they look?
If I decide to have breast reconstruction surgery, when can that be done?
What type of breast reconstruction procedures can I have?
How long will I be in the hospital?
Will I have to do special exercises?
When can I get back to my normal activities?
Before radiation therapy:
Why do I need this treatment?
When will the treatments begin? When will they end?
How will I feel during therapy?
What side effects can I expect?
What can I do to take care of myself during therapy?
Can I continue my normal activities?
How will my breast look afterward?
Before chemotherapy or hormone therapy:
Why do I need this treatment?
If I need hormone treatment, which would be better for me
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