Understanding Breast Cancer »

Joy Ogden is a health journalist who use her own encounter with breast cancer to answer the questions of others in a similar situation. She talks to many such women, and men, about their experiences of diagnosis and treatment, and includes their stories here.

Learning that you have breast cancer is a shocking experience.

Not only are people fearful of their future, they are also faced with difficult choices about treatment and worries about its impact on themselves, their family and friends.

Understanding Breast Cancer includes essential information and practical advice on coping with every aspect of breast cancer, including:

• The treatment options available.

• Coming to terms with the psychological impact.

• Breast reconstruction and prostheses.

• Complementary therapies and diet.

• Breast cancer, pregnancy and fertility.

Joy Ogden is a health journalist who uses her own encounter with breast cancer to answer the questions of others in a similar situation. She talks to many such women, and men, about their experiences of diagnosis and treatment, and includes their stories here.

	About the author	vii
	Acknowledgements	ix
1	Introduction	1
2	What is breast cancer?	3
3	Who gets it? What are the risk factors?	9
4	Symptoms and diagnosis	19
5	Psychological impact--coming to terms with breast cancer	29
6	The role of family, friends and health professionals	41
7	What are the treatment options?	49
8	Surgery	59
9	Breast reconstruction or prosthesis?	71
10	Radiotherapy	77
11	Chemotherapy	85
12	Hormonal therapies and immunotherapy	97
13	Breast cancer, pregnancy and fertility	103
14	How does it feel to live with breast cancer?	109
15	Complementary therapies, holistic practice and diet	115
16	Frequently asked questions	125
	Glossary	129
	Useful addresses and contacts	133
	References	139
	Index	141