RIBCC Resources

GET A SECOND OPINION.

This is critical . . . not only for treatment decisions but for pathology review as well. A caller to our Helpline said she had two different surgeons look at her lab report and both agreed she needed surgery. But she realized that only one person had actually looked at the slide with the cells on it. She asked a second pathologist to review the slide, and it turned out she didn't have breast cancer. You are your own best advocate!

Printable resources

We encourage you to print these documents and bring them to your doctor. Often times emotions cloud your thoughts and you may forget to ask a question that was on your mind. These sheets will help you to get the information that you need.

Five steps to good breast cancer care

1. Take some time. Most women don't need to rush into treatment. By taking some time to learn about breast cancer, you can make better choices. Ask your doctor if your decisions can wait a few weeks.

2. Learn about your cancer. Your treatment depends on your diagnosis (what kind of breast cancer you have). Ask your doctor: What is my diagnosis? Are there any other names for it? What are all of my treatment options?

3. Ask questions. Ask lots of questions. After all, it's your breast cancer, your body, your life. It is helpful to bring a friend or family member to the doctor's with you. Before choosing a treatment, ask your doctor: What is the treatment supposed to do? What is my risk of getting breast cancer again if I do have this treatment? What if I don't? How likely am I to be alive in 5 or 10 years if I do have this treatment? What if I don't? What are the risks or bad side effects? Will any side effects last for the rest of my life? Am I a candidate for a clinical trial? Find out how many new breast cancer patients your doctor treats each year. Studies show that the best patient outcomes result from doctors who treat at least 40-50 new breast cancer patients per year.

4. Investigate medical evidence. There isn't a “one size fits all” treatment for breast cancer. Ask your doctor for evidence-based guidelines explaining which treatments are most likely to work. Explore the National Cancer Institute website at www.cancer.gov and call the National Cancer Information Center at 1-800- 4-CANCER.

5. Get support. You can get help dealing with your feelings, getting to and from the doctor, paying the bills, taking care of your family and/or solving problems with your treatment, employer or insurance. Call the RIBCC Helpline at 1-800-216-1040 for statewide resources.