Questions that might annoy the doctor

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Amyadipose
Amyadipose Member Posts: 38
edited June 2019 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I'm like a child when it comes to questions. How often do they look at your tumors before surgery to see if they've changed? How do they know what kind it is? Why do doctors get upset you ask if radiation and chemo during initial treatment can cause a "comeback" elsewhere later on? I can't see how it wouldn't! And how is her+ estrogen fueled, when mine was discovered at the very time estrogen is dropping during perimenopause? I've already had hot flashes. Do they experiment with injecting something into the tumor directly? Why or why not? Also, why is the big announcement day designed to build up your nerves, and scare you into uncontrollable sobs? I mean, give me a little info on phone, come in for appt. And get a rundown from a nurse then get a dr who asks nothing bout you or who you are, reads his script about what cancer is, all looking at you like you're a dead (wo)man walking. all the medicine, and cutting etc. and your "options". If they're saving 99%, wouldnt a less serious approach be helpful? I think they could tell a perfectly healthy person a diagnosis and they'd be talked into dying in a month. They could say "hey its sounds scary but only a small percentage die" (and that's a stat I cant find). I'd rather get an email! No suspense building! Its cruel!

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited May 2019

    I'll give it a try, but I am not a doctor, so this is based on my own experience as well as what I've gleaned over the years. Please, please ask your doc specific questions that pertain to you (bc has many different profiles. There are many variables).

    - I do not recall any “looking" at the tumor beyond the biopsy stage.Since surgery was indicated, I knew the tumor would be looked at as part of the post surgical path report. For most folks, this should suffice.

    - Your doc should not be upset by any questions you ask. Although chemo and rads are strong tx, not treating will possibly put you at a greater risk for metastasis. There is no treatment that guarantees you will not recur, but the odds are in your favor.

    - The biopsy provides preliminary info on what type of bc you have and the hormone profile. The post surgical biopsy provides the final report on all aspects of the tumor.

    - ER+ bc is the most common even among the post-menopausal. Estrogen is produced by areas of the body other than ovaries, thus can contribute to bc .

    - I do not know if injecting something into the tumor exists in clinical trials. As far as I know, there is nothing like this used in current standard of care.

    - Many patients and docs prefer to discuss results in person. I like face to face for discussing such big issues. Interestingly, we have members who have been told over the phone and some have felt that this was not appropriate for such an important health issue.

    - Doctors should tell you about all the pluses and minuses of treatment. This allows you to be fully informed with respect to the good and the bad and allows you to make informed decisions.

    -what are you referring to when you mention “saving 99%"?

    Bottom line? If you don't feel comfortable asking questions or you think you're annoying your doc, find a new one! Wishing you all the best

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  • Salamandra
    Salamandra Member Posts: 1,444
    edited May 2019

    Hey Amyadipose,

    Sometimes great medical providers are not great communicators, unfortunately. If your insurance has a nurse navigator or your cancer treatment center has a social worker, those can be really valuable tools for speaking with someone whose job it is to take the time you need to feel informed and knowledgeable.

    I agree with exbrnxgrl that it's so important to feel comfortable with your medical plan and team. Can you bring someone with you to help with managing communication and support you getting your questions answered? Also consider getting one or more second opinions if you do not feel 100% confident with your first one.

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  • Amyadipose
    Amyadipose Member Posts: 38
    edited May 2019

    Found an article that puts the estrogen question into perspective and I fit the bill for prime candidate. I guess these are things I want to know. https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/high-estrogen-levels/

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited May 2019

    I'm way past menopause, which occurred as a result of a thorough hysterectomy eleven years ago. My body is still cranking out enough estrogen that my tumor was over 99% positive. It's important for the doctor to know your type of cancer because the treatment will depend on type plus staging. Some of your questions are theoretical and would be better addressed to someone in the research field.

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  • Salamandra
    Salamandra Member Posts: 1,444
    edited May 2019

    "thetruthaboutcancer" is not considered a reputable site. I would be very cautious with it and take everything with many grains of salt. Breastcancer.org is much better. The Susan J. Komen site I believe is also generally considered reliable.

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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited May 2019

    Salamandra...I respectfully disagree. That might be your opinion and that's fine but do not presume its everyones! Best of luck to all

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  • Dxlsoleil
    Dxlsoleil Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2019

    I think you should find a new doctor! My doctor and her staff were wonderful. I must have met with her at least six times trying to decide what to do. I had a notebook (still have it) where I recorded everything, I brought my sister with me to every meeting, and got second and third opinions. I asked a lot of questions :)

    This is a difficult time, you will be taking in a lot of information,and you need a team that makes you feel comfortable

    Good luck!

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  • Gr82meetU
    Gr82meetU Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2019

    Hello

    I just joined and I read your post about getting second and third opinions. I keep thinking I need to do this because I am questioning so much. I wonder if its too late to do so because I am already getting chemo next week will be my 4th round of the very awful A/C( Ive been so sick from it). I've read many things on this site and it seems what I am getting and going through is typical, why couldn't I be one of the ones that hardly gets sick:(

    I don't quite understand why I need to go through radiation after chemo. Doesn't the chemo kill the cancer cells ( and good, normal cell too)? I am sorry to ramble.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited June 2019

    Dear Gr82meetU,

    Welcome to the BCO community. We are sorry for your diagnosis and struggles with your treatment and we are glad that you reached out to our members. If you go to settings in the blue tool bar you can learn how to make your diagnosis and treatment public and it will show up in your signature line. That might help others better respond to your questions. Here is a link to information on our main site about Getting a second opinion. PM us if we can be of help in your navigation of the site and finding the information and resources that you need.

    The Mods

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited June 2019

    "Doesn't the chemo kill the cancer cells ( and good, normal cell too)?"

    Gr82meetU - no, it might not kill them all. Chemo drugs target cells in various stages of cell growth and division. Cells grow and divide at different rates & this is partly why different chemotherapies are given at precise times - trying to hit the cancer cells at the right time. Of course at any given time the cancer cells are not all synchronized in one phase so that's why people need a variety of treatments and intervals between treatments. And cancer cells have ability to quickly mutate and resist the attack of the chemo drugs. Each intervention - surgery, chemo, radiation, hormonal treatment, immunological treatment - has a different means of attacking the cancer cells and when more than one is selected it's because the statistical likelihood of a cell escaping the first treatment is relatively high.

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  • Scrafgal
    Scrafgal Member Posts: 631
    edited June 2019

    chemo is systemic therapy to prevent distant mets

    radiation is targeted therapy to a specific location

    If your tumor has aggressive biological traits and some of your lymph nodes were positive, both therapies could be recommended.


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  • Sjacobs146
    Sjacobs146 Member Posts: 770
    edited June 2019

    Everyone reacts differently to a cancer diagnosis. I'm sure these docs have seen a lot of different reactions, and they just don't know what they're going to get with a particular patient. When my tumor was found during a follow up mammo (US and biopsy done immediately after), the social worker sat with me and asked if I needed to call someone and whether I was okay to drive myself home. I was fine to drive, (I actually considered going in to work) but I'm guessing that plenty of women are not. There are women on these boards who have issues with anxiety work themselves up into quite a state. There is no right or wrong way to react, and docs have to be prepared for the worst. My doc did call me before I went in to her office to discuss the surgery.

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