Navigating Breast Cancer: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed » (2E)

An invaluable guide for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, Conquering Breast Cancer: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed offers expert, practical advice from a breast cancer survivor and medical professional. This handbook is packed with information to h

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Reviewer:Betsy Frank, RN, PhD, ANEF(Indiana State University School of Nursing)
Description:This overview of treatment options for breast cancer provides general facts about the nature of breast cancer and discusses a woman's expected psychological response. An excellent glossary is incorporated within the chapters.
Purpose:This book is targeted at women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer. The information provided is intended to guide a woman through the trajectory of care.
Audience:Written at a lay level, the book is straightforward without being condescending. Family members and other support persons as well as patients will find this useful.
Features:The book takes newly diagnosed women through the process of initial diagnosis to the follow-up care needed after initial treatment. The decision-making process is stressed. The author focuses on the need for arming women with as much information as possible so that they can ask questions of care providers and take control of the decisions regarding treatment options. Quick decision-making is discouraged. The author's upbeat approach should instill in women the sense that breast cancer is generally not fatal and living a full life is possible perhaps during and certainly after treatment. The author spends considerable time on describing care given at academic health science centers, as well as the breast reconstruction option following mastectomy. Some women may not choose to seek care at these centers, nor have access to them. In addition, some women may not want to feel pressured into seeking breast reconstruction.
Assessment:This book is a goodstarting place for women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer. The web sites listed in the book will help women and their support system to seek further information needed to consider all treatment options.

Preface v

Section I Let's Get Started 3

Chapter 1 The Decision-Making Process 5

Preconceived Ideas About Breast Cancer

Making Treatment Decisions

Chapter 2 Features of a Breast Center 11

Easy Access

Patient Empowerment

Patient (and Family) Education

Multidisciplinary Case Conferences

Special Breast Imaging Services

Clinical Trials

Full Range of Surgical Options

Medical Oncology

Radiation Oncology

Genetic Counseling

High-Risk Assessment for Breast Cancer

Pathology Services

Continuity of Care

Urgent Care Services

Continuing Education Programs and Seminars

Measuring Quality of Care

Chapter 3 Getting Started: Time for Your Initial Consultation 27

Understanding Your Biopsy Report

Understanding the Stage

Genetics

Section II Getting Your Treatment Underway 39

Chapter 4 Communicating the News of the Diagnosis to Others 41

Telling the Children

Telling Parents and Siblings

Deciding Whether and How to Tell Coworkers and Friends

Chapter 5 Breast Cancer Surgery and Sexual Intimacy 45

Thinking Through Surgical Options

Resuming Physical Intimacy After Surgery—Is Dr. Ruth Around?

Chapter 6 Adjuvant Treatment After Surgery 57

If Chemotherapy Is Part of the Game Plan

If Radiation Is Part of the Game Plan

If Hormonal Therapy Is Part of the Game Plan

In the Event the Cancer Has Spread

Chapter 7 Changes in Daily Routines 65

Planning Schedules for Children

Planning Schedules for Yourself

Finding Private Time

Chapter 8 Targeted Therapy 69

Section III Breast Cancer as a Chronic Illness 75

Chapter 9 Metastatic Disease 77

Chapter 10 Financial Issues 79

Section IV Moving Forward as a Survivor 85

Chapter 11 Living a Healthier Lifestyle Going Forward 87

Nutrition

Exercise

Stress

Stay Informed

Chapter 12 Celebrating Completion of Breast Cancer Treatment: Survivorship 91

Chapter 13 What Does the Future Hold in the Field of Breast Cancer? 95

Chapter 14 Resources of Benefit to Breast Cancer Patients and Their Families 99

Commonly Asked Questions That You May Have Wondered About

Where Can You Get Help with Financial or Legal Concerns?

Index 109