Finding out you have breast cancer can stop you in your tracks. You’re probably feeling a mix of emotions, and you likely have a million questions about what it all means and what comes next.
We understand and we’re here to help. So, let’s start by answering some of your questions about next steps after a breast cancer diagnosis.
Your situation is unique. So know that your care will be tailored to you, taking things like your type of cancer and health into consideration, as well as your own goals and preferences. That said, here are seven steps to take after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
1. Meet the first members of your breast cancer treatment team
After a breast cancer diagnosis, waiting for answers can be overwhelming. All you might be able to think about is, “I have breast cancer, now what?” But know that answers are on the way. If you’ve been working with your primary care doctor or a radiologist up to this point, your doctor may want to connect you with either a nurse navigator or a breast surgeon right away. Who you’ll see first depends on your breast cancer diagnosis. Either way, you’ll typically meet these two members of your care team first.
Your oncology nurse navigator
You might be wondering, what is a nurse navigator? Nurse navigators specialize in coordinating your care. They can help you make informed decisions throughout your cancer treatment. Your nurse navigator can help you find a breast surgeon or oncologist, schedule your appointments, manage your treatments and make sure you’re getting all the support you need throughout the treatment process.
Your breast surgeon
Surgery is often one of the first steps in the breast cancer treatment process. Breast surgeons specialize in removing lumps and cancerous tissues from breasts. You may wonder why a breast surgeon is one of the first specialists you see after a breast cancer diagnosis. The reason is that surgery can determine how advanced breast cancer is, as well as remove cancerous tissues to help prevent the disease from spreading.
What qualities and credentials do you want in a breast surgeon?
You’ll want to choose a breast surgeon you’re comfortable with. While some preferences are sure to vary from person to person, here are a couple things you’ll want to pay particularly close attention to:
- Board certification – Board certification is a mark of distinction. It means your doctor has passed the American Board of Surgery’s stringent certification process to demonstrate their knowledge and skill within their specialty. Working with a board-certified surgeon can give you peace of mind in knowing you’re in highly trained and skilled hands.
- Specific experience – All surgeons are trained in general surgery, and those who go on to specialize in cancer removal are surgical oncologists. And oftentimes, surgical oncologists specialize even further in a specific cancer type, like breast cancer. So, it can be very beneficial to work with a breast surgeon who’s experienced in treating your type of cancer.
2. Learn as much as possible about your diagnosis
Your head may be swimming with questions. If it is, get those questions on paper and out of your head. Begin writing them down and take them with you to your first appointment.
There’s no such thing as too many questions. And don’t dismiss any questions because you think they might be silly. Doctors and nurses have heard and answered them all, so ask away. Below are common questions to ask your oncologist at your first appointment:
- What are the types of breast cancer? Your doctor will be able to answer questions such as, “What is the most common type of breast cancer?” and “What is the most aggressive type of breast cancer?”
- What type of breast cancer do I have? It’s important for you to know the type of breast cancer you have and your treatment options.
- What stage is the cancer and where is it? Breast cancer staging is the process doctors use to describe how large the cancer is and how far it has spread.
- Has my breast cancer spread? The cancer stage doesn’t always explain exactly where the cancer has spread, so it’s a good idea to ask this question to understand if it’s spread to your lymph nodes or other organs.
- How treatable is my breast cancer? The answer to this question will depend on how advanced your cancer is. If your breast cancer is found in an early stage, it’s highly curable.
- Will I need any other tests before we can decide on treatment? Depending on how advanced your cancer appears to be, additional tests may be recommended before building your treatment plan.
- What is the hormone receptor status of my cancer? Knowing the hormone receptor status of your cancer gives doctors a better idea of how to treat it. Breast cancer cells may or may not have receptors that attach to certain hormones, and rely on these hormones for growth.
- What is genetic testing for breast cancer and is that something I should do? Genetic testing may be able to help you learn whether your breast cancer is due to an inherited gene mutation, which may affect how it’s treated.
- How soon do I need to begin treatment? For certain breast cancers, doctors will want to begin treatment immediately. For others, more testing may be needed to decide the best course.
- How long from breast cancer diagnosis to surgery day? It’s usually just a few weeks, but it will depend on your treatment plan and the type and stage of cancer.
- How long will my treatment last? Depending on your situation, your care team may be able to estimate how long you should expect radiation or other treatments to last.
- Am I eligible for clinical trials? In some instances, emerging treatments may be available for you to try. Locally, HealthPartners Institute’s oncology research provides patients with access to cancer clinical trials and research, often right from their local hospital or clinic.
- Where will I receive most of my treatments? This could be at a clinic, a cancer center, or both. HealthPartners has locations throughout the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin.
- How often will I see an oncologist? How often you see an oncologist will depend on your treatment plan, how your treatments are progressing and more.
3. Discuss your breast cancer diagnosis and treatment with loved ones
Which friends and family members will be there to help you through your diagnosis, treatment and beyond? Who’s going to take you to doctor appointments? Who can you call when you’re feeling blue? Who can watch your kids or help with meal planning?
It’s good for your support team to know what to expect. By having these conversations with your friends and family early, you’ll gain a better sense of where people can help and where you may still need some support. It’s good for your support team too, as they’ll be less prone to surprises.
4. Confirm your treatment plan with your care team
Is chemotherapy an option before surgery? Will you get a lumpectomy, or a partial or double mastectomy? Whether we’re talking about surgery, therapy or some combination of both, there are many ways to treat breast cancer.
Your treatment plan should be tailored to you and coordinated across specialists. Why does this matter? Because surgery is often just the first step in your treatment plan. And in some cases, your care team may recommend other treatments before surgery.
Depending on the disease and your care preferences, other treatments like radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy may also be part of the plan.
Once you and your care team have decided on a treatment plan, your nurse navigator will help coordinate your next steps and more resources if needed.
Specialists who may be part of your cancer care team
A team approach to breast cancer treatment is essential to getting you the comprehensive, personalized care you need. Your nurse navigator will help coordinate your care with the different types of oncologists, doctors and specialists on your care team, which may include:
- Breast surgeon – A surgeon who specializes in removing lumps and cancerous tissue from breasts.
- Medical oncologist – A doctor who specializes in treating cancer with medications and chemotherapy.
- Radiation oncologist – A doctor who specializes in using radiation therapy to treat cancer.
- Plastic surgeon – A surgeon who specializes in reconstructing breasts after cancer treatment.
- Radiologist – A doctor who specializes in reading X-rays, mammograms, ultrasounds, MRIs, CT scans and other imaging tests.
- Oncology nurses and radiation therapists – Nurses who help you with your treatments, managing side effects and therapies.
- Rehabilitation specialist – These specialists help you with symptoms that could interfere with your daily life. For example, if you develop lymphedema, a condition that causes swelling, a rehab specialist can help manage symptoms through treatments such as lymphatic massage.
5. Get a second opinion if you’re not sure about your treatment plan
It’s important that you feel comfortable and confident about your care team and treatment plan. If you’re not sure, consider getting a second opinion on a cancer diagnosis. A second opinion can also be valuable if you’re interested in cancer clinical trials. But don’t wait to make an appointment. You’ll want to get the second opinion as soon as possible, so you can begin treatment before the cancer has a chance to spread.
6. Manage your mental and physical health
Coping with cancer can be challenging. It’s common to feel overwhelmed, sad or anxious. It’s important to have someone to talk to about your feelings – this can be your doctor, a family member or friend. Your care team can also recommend a mental health specialist who can help with your feelings about the diagnosis.
You may not have the time and energy to cook or stick with your exercise routine. But prioritizing your physical health can make a big difference in how you feel. Try to make sure you eat enough, get regular physical activity and make time for relaxation techniques like meditation.
7. Ask for help: No one should have to face breast cancer alone
Knowing exactly what to do after a breast cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. But the good news is that you don’t have to face all the questions and decisions alone.
You can count on us to help you through it all – with a personalized treatment plan and an integrated team of specialists to take care of you at every step of your breast cancer journey.
With award-winning cancer centers and clinics in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, we’re here for you and your family.
If you’ve been referred to an oncologist or surgeon, and have yet to schedule an appointment, choose a location and then give us a call.