Lighting the Path to Treating Breast Cancer
One in eight women will hear her doctor pronounce the
unforgettable words: breast cancer. Once upon a time, those
words were not only frightening, they were taboo. Not anymore
thanks to two Bettys and a Nancy.
Considered courageously outspoken in 1974, First Lady Betty Ford
put breast cancer in the headlines by announcing her own
diagnosis at a White House press conference. Betty Rollins
further demystified the issue by writing her groundbreaking 1976
book, "First You Cry," detailing her personal journey through
breast cancer treatment and concerns of disfigurement. Nancy
Brinker, a prominent Dallas socialite, took a serious leap in
expanding breast cancer education by forming the Susan B. Komen
Foundation in 1982 to honor her sister who died from the
disease.
No longer shrouded, the topic of breast cancer now has the
entire month of October devoted to highlighting survivors,
prevention, proactive diagnosis and treatment. Image-conscious
cosmetics and jewelry companies proudly align their products
with the disease, once considered something not to be discussed.
The two Bettys and one Nancy illuminated the path for all women
making crucial health choices. And now, breast cancer treatment
choices are more varied and individually-oriented than ever
before, according to the professional advocates at PinnacleCare,
the prestigious healthcare advocacy firm dedicated to quality in
healthcare.
As the healthcare system has become increasingly complex and
focused on cost-containment, professional healthcare advocacy
has arisen to highlight patients' needs and choices. In the case
of breast cancer, patients must weigh the relative merits of
lumpectomy, mastectomy, preventative double mastectomy,
chemotherapy, radiation, subsequent drug therapy and the best
combination of these.
The key decision factors for breast cancer are: your type of
breast cancer, stage, grade, margins; your estrogen and
progesterone hormone receptors (positive or negative), whether
you are pre or post menopausal and whether your HER-2 gene (the
genetic material that regulates cell growth) is positive or
negative.
Pulling all the information together is a tough job without the
aid of a professional healthcare advocate. The time and
emotional toll are immense. However, many people must or prefer
to do it on their own. So how can an individual crystallize the
best possible treatment for her personal circumstances?
PinnacleCare offers ten key pathstones to the right breast
cancer treatment for you.
Ten Pathstones to the Right Breast Cancer Treatment for You
1. Provide medical history. Your past medical history contains
clues that your physician must weigh to accurately present your
best options. As your tests progress, add to your personal file
your pathology slides, pathology reports, mammogram, MRI and
ultrasound films.
2. Trust a few reputable sources. Educate yourself, but limit
the time you spend on the internet. Resist the confusion of
blogs and promotional sites. For breast cancer, the Susan B.
Komen Foundation web site is excellent for information on the
disease. To learn about healthcare advocacy, visit
www.PinnacleCare.com to access the Guide to Getting the Best
Healthcare ($9.95).
3. Seek a second, and even, a third opinion. Certainly, start
with your internist's recommended oncologists but take it a step
further. Give special consideration to physicians who are part
of an "integrative breast cancer center" which incorporates a
multidisciplinary team of medical, radiation and surgical
oncologists. Also be aware that physicians who are involved in
clinical trials and research are often the most up-to-date on
cutting edge medical science.
4. Consider complementary, alternative care. In conjunction with
conventional treatment, these practices can substantially aid
recovery. For example, acupuncture can assist with chemotherapy
side effects. Contact a reputable cancer nutritionist who can
work with your conventional doctor. Always consult with your
physician prior to using any alternative products as some may
have a negative effect or counteract your other medical
treatment.
5. Pursue the earliest appointments. Be a polite squeaky wheel.
Persist to get the earliest possible appointments. Ask to be put
on a waiting list for an earlier appointment, get help from any
contacts you may have, and call frequently to see if an opening
has occurred.
6. Confirm and confirm again. Confirm your appointments in
writing, and confirm again by phone the week before the
appointment. If a misunderstanding occurs, the best specialists
seldom have wiggle room to squeeze you in, even if it is the
mistake of their own office staff.
7. Prepare for the appointment. Bring a notebook, an extra copy
of your medical records and an advocate. If a service like
PinnacleCare is not an option, choose a friend not on the basis
of closeness but whose judgment you respect.
8. Recap your discussion in writing. Recap your notes, in
writing, and send them to your advocate for review and then to
each physician. At the time of the appointment, your doctor may
speak in medical shorthand you misunderstand. It is crucial to
understand what you have heard and to ensure that your
priorities and concerns are equally understood.
9. Decide and conquer. Review each recommendation with your
closest family member and your chosen advocate. Consider asking
these "allies" to communicate your decision and convey your
progress with interested family members. After all, your job is
focusing on getting well.
10. Proceed with confidence. Once treatment has begun, it is
common for breast cancer patients to second-guess their
decisions. If you have conducted due diligence, as explained
above, to select your doctor, discuss treatment options, learn
expected progress points and anticipate potential adjustments
during the course of treatment, then put your mind at rest.
Stick with your team, follow your plan and speak up as concerns
arise.