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Questions for Your Provider
- Will a sentinel node biopsy be done?
- Is my tumor estrogen/progesterone receptor positive or negative? How does this affect my treatment plan?
- Is my tumor HER2/neu positive or negative? How does this affect my treatment plan?
- What is my prognosis with and without treatment?
- What are my treatment options?
- Were my tumor margins clean? If not, what more will be done?
- What treatments are you recommending for me and why?
- Am I a candidate for lumpectomy (breast conserving surgery) plus radiation? Will chemotherapy or hormone therapy prior to surgery improve my chances of being able to have lumpectomy?
- If I have lumpectomy, will you refer me to a radiation oncologist to discuss radiation treatment?
- Can breast reconstruction be done at the time of the surgery, as well as later? How much later can it be? Can you refer me to a reconstructive surgeon?
- If I choose not to have reconstruction, what types of prostheses are available? Where can I find them?
- Will I need additional treatment following my surgery?
- How long do I have to make a treatment decision?
- What procedures will my insurance cover?
- Is there a clinical trial that is enrolling people with my type of breast cancer? If so, how can I learn more?
- What will my long-term follow up care be? Who will oversee that care?
- What do I need to consider before any treatment begins if I would like to have a child after I have been treated for breast cancer?
- Will my tumor be saved? Where will it be stored? For how long? How can I/ future providers/clinical trials I might participate in access it in the future? For more information on breast pathology practices, read the Susan G. Komen® for the Cure report.
Learn more about talking to your health care provider.
Updated 10/20/09
