What Questions did you ask?

Kitkat6337 · August 2016

Hi,

Would like to know what questions you might have asked during your testing and diagnosis? I have had a 3D mammogram, Ultrasound, MRI and yesterday I had a biopsy. When I saw the Doctor for the MRI results she had suggested I write down my questions for when I come back for the biopsy results. I can't seem to clear my head long enough to think of anything or what I should ask.

I am high risk due to family history. I'm nervous, scared and tired of waiting.

etnasgrl · August 2016

((((Hugs)))) Waiting is the worst part. I'm so sorry that you have to go through this.

As for questions, once I knew that I had cancer, I couldn't think straight to ask anything. Thankfully, my surgical oncologist gave me tons of info, which ended up answering pretty much any question that popped up later on.
If they find cancer, your biopsy report will contain most of the answers. At least in the beginning.
You'll want to know:
What type of cancer you have
The approx. size and location
The Her2 status and ER/PR status
Surgery options.....lumpectomy or mastectomy
Treatment options.....radiation, chemo, Tamoxifen?

Luckynumber47 · August 2016

I am so sorry you have to face this. You are right, it is very scary but it gets better as you start getting answers and know where you stand.

The questions depend on what you think they found. Basics would be: is it cancer? If the answer is yes, then: what type, estimated size, and are lymph nodes involved. Is it ER, PR and HER2 positive or negative. Will hormonal therapies be recommended. Will there be surgery and do you recommend lumpectomy, mastectomy and why? Will I need radiation? Are there drug trials I should enroll in? At this point do you think I'll need chemo. What are my options for reconstruction (if I decide I want that after a mastectomy)

If you are young and not yet reached menopause then you will want to ask how the treatments affects fertility. How will the treatments affect existing health issues you may have (also ask this question of your MO)

Kitkat, are you seeing a general dr or a breast specialist? Most people here recommend seeing a breast specialist at a major cancer center. There you will have a "team" handling every phase of treatment. I think general Drs are fine for diagnosis but for surgery and treatment you want the biggest guns you can find. They also recommend second opinions on everything - even if they just recommend "watch and wait"

Have they done genetic testing? Are you positive for any of the identified genes? Do they recommend prophylactic mastectomies with your family history?

I'm sure the dr will cover every one of these questions as part of the appointment and you can just write in the answers as you go along.

Be sure to take someone along with you to the appointment so they can write down all the info the dr gives you.

Also, be sure to come back here and let us know what you find out. There are very knowledgable and experienced people here who can help you understand the info the dr gives you and support you thru upcoming appointments.

Kitkat6337 · August 2016

Thank you for the answers. I should have said, I'm 50. I have done the BRCA genetic test and it was negative. I am seeing a breast specialist. She is confident that if it is cancer, that a lumpectomy and a few lymph nodes removed will do the trick. A spiculating lesion they found during testing was 0.9 x 0.7 x 0.9 and radiates from the chest wall to the lesion. The results are in but they won't tell me over the phone. I go to see my Doctor on Thursday. She also thought that just radiation treatment, but I guess that would depend on the type of cancer it is.

Due to my family history, my ob\gyn recommended a few years ago that I see a specialist. I will definitely bring these questions with me when I go. I would never have thought to ask what kind. I didn't realize there were different types.

Thank you again, for the responses. You have given me more information than I had.

What Questions did you ask?

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