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Questions for Your Provider
For those without breast cancer
- What steps can I take to lower my risk of breast cancer?
- How can I estimate my risk of breast cancer? How accurate are the methods?
- How do I determine if I have dense breasts? If I do have dense breasts, how does that increase my risk? What should I do if I have dense breasts?
- What type of screening should I have? Can you discuss the benefits of digital vs. standard mammograms for me? Do I need a screening MRI?
For those at higher risk of breast cancer
- I've been told I'm at high risk for getting breast cancer. What should I do?
- Should I take tamoxifen or raloxifene? Do the benefits of these drugs outweigh the risks for me?
- What about prophylactic mastectomy or oophorectomy?
- When should I start getting screened? How often should I get screened?
- What screening tests are best for my level of risk? Can you discuss some of the options (such as MRI, digital mammograms) and when would you recommend them for me?
- Given my medical history, how can I manage my menopausal symptoms? Are postmenopausal hormones a safe way to manage my menopausal symptoms? What are other options?
For those with lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
- Is LCIS breast cancer?
- What are my treatment options? Which therapies are you recommending for me and why?
- Should I consider taking tamoxifen or raloxifene?
- Is there a clinical trial that is enrolling people with LCIS? If so, how can I learn more?
- What will my long-term follow-up care be? Who will oversee that care?
- What are my chances developing non-invasive or invasive cancer?
For those with breast cancer
- Even though I have already been diagnosed with breast cancer, are there healthy behaviors I can adopt that may prolong my survival or reduce my chance of recurrence?
- How does my having breast cancer affect the risk of my family members?
- What behaviors can my family members adopt to lower their risk of breast cancer?
- Should my family members and I consider genetic testing?
- What are the issues my family and I need to think about when considering genetic testing?
- Which genetic counselor would you recommend to help my family and me decide if genetic testing is right for us?
- How much does genetic testing cost? Does my insurance cover it?
Find out more on talking to your health care provider.
Updated 11/06/09
