Questions to ask doctor, when detected with breast cancer

[sumeet_shah]

Questions that a woman diagnosed from breast cancer must ask her oncologist:

1. At what stage is my cancer?

2. Is a breast conservation surgery possible? If not, and the breast has to be removed, what are the options on reconstruction?

3. What additional treatment is anticipated in future (pending final report). If chemotherapy seems to be surely needed, should I get a PORT inserted during the primary surgery itself? (PORT is a system to deliver chemotherapy, much less painful, and avoids tens and hundreds of pricks during chemotherapy)

4. Complete interpretation of the pathology report (after surgery), which would include:

- Final stage of the disease

- Grade and other factors

- Has it gone in the axillary nodes or not. If yes, how many nodes tested positive for cancer

- Hormone Receptor (ER/PR) status and HER2 status. (Each of these has a bearing on the outcome as well as the treatment needed)

5. Fertility issues, during chemotherapy

6. Any need for genetic screening (Some breast cancers may be familial, and other first degree women may be at risk)

[Mjainn]

dear dr.shah.. i m new to this site ... good to see someone to solve the queries.my dear1 is suffering from 4thstage BC spread to lungs.doc only adviced chemo.we r done with chemo n lumps is not completely gone.is there anything we can do about it.or chemo is the only option for 4th stage patients.its triple nagetive ductul carcinoma.

[Mjainn]

i have heard about stem cell therapy .. is it a good option for BC also?