Breast cancer diagnosis
You’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer. Now what?
A breast cancer diagnosis can leave you emotional and feeling overwhelmed with several questions. Our goal is to help you address some of the questions head on, so you can properly prepare for your first oncology appointment.
We hope this guide will make your path to breast cancer treatment a bit smoother.
Document. Document. Document.
Your oncologist will be sharing a lot of important details with you and it can be hard to remember it all. To stay organized, we suggest getting a notebook to keep a record of important information. This can include information such as how you’re feeling and what medicines or supplements you’re taking, to any questions, thoughts, or observations you have regarding appointments and procedures. Try to put a date on everything you write down to keep your thoughts and notes organized.
Maybe audio recordings work better for you, that’s fine. Just pick one method and commit to using it regularly. Having information well-documented can help keep the lines of communication open between you and your doctors.
What Kind of Doctor should I See?
Typically, patients will move from their PCP (primary care physician) or gynecologist to an oncologist. Oncology is the study of cancer, therefore, an oncologist is a doctor who is medically trained to lead the care for patients after a cancer diagnosis. As a patient of Maryland Oncology Hematology, you will have access to our breast cancer specialists located in, or around, Maryland and Washington D.C.
Your oncologist will take the time to learn about your specific diagnosis and will consult with your care team to develop a personalized treatment plan for you. Your care team will include several specialists, including:
- Radiation oncologist
- Breast cancer surgeon, with specialty in oncoplastic
- Plastic surgeon, if needed
- Other cancer care specialists who can assist with treating potential side effects caused by breast cancer treatments
While surgery may seem like the logical first step, some cases can benefit from a different approach. Visiting with the medical oncologist first will help determine the best treatment for your particular breast cancer diagnosis.
What Kind of Breast Cancer do I Have?
Breast cancer can begin in different areas of the breast–the ducts, the lobules, and sometimes, the tissue in between. Some genes, and the proteins they make play a role in how breast cancer behaves and how it might respond to treatment. The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 is one such gene. It may also be called HER2/neu or ErbB2. Your HER2 status and hormone receptors are what your oncology team will use to determine your breast cancer type and the type of treatment you may receive.
Approximately 70 percent of breast cancers are hormone receptor-positive. The percentage is even higher among older women. Your oncologist will perform the tests and then explain how the results may affect your treatment plan. Be sure to speak with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
Learn more about Breast Cancer and the various types of treatments.
What is the Extent of My Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer stages are typically expressed as a number on a scale of 0 through IV–with stage 0 representing contained, non-invasive cancers and stage IV representing cancers that have spread. The results of the biopsy and images taken will allow your oncologist to determine the extent of your breast cancer. Read more about breast cancer staging.
Which Breast Cancer Treatments Will I Receive?
Your cancer care team will discuss treatment options with you. Treatments will be based on a variety of factors including the type, stage of your breast cancer, and your age. Breast cancer treatment options include:
- Chemotherapy
- Surgery
- Hormone therapy
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted therapy
Your team at Maryland Oncology Hematology will evaluate your individual situation and recommend the most effective treatment options.
What Breast Cancer Clinical Trials?
As a member of US Oncology Research, Maryland Oncology can provide access to the latest clinical trials in the Maryland and Washington D.C. areas. These breast cancer clinical trials help uncover various new treatment options, including new breast cancer treatments and give many patients the opportunity to receive newly developed therapies or investigational drugs not yet available outside the study.
Talk to your oncologist to find out if you are right for one of our available breast cancer trials.
Your First Oncology Appointment
We highly recommend that you take a relative or friend with you to your first appointment as a support partner. Not only will they be there to provide emotional support, they can listen and help take notes on all the information you will be receiving. For more information about your first visit with a Maryland Oncology Hematology oncologist visit our web page for New Patients.
After Breast Cancer Treatment
Following breast cancer treatment, your doctors will want to monitor you closely. It’s very important to go to all of your follow-up appointments. These visits give your doctor an opportunity to address your questions and concerns, look for treatment-related side effects, and discuss other follow-up treatments that may be necessary, such as hormone therapy or reconstructive surgery. Remember to bring your notebook (or another documentation method) and a support partner to as many visits as possible.
Should I Get a Second Opinion?
Feeling confident about your breast cancer diagnosis is extremely important, which is why many patients choose to get a second opinion before beginning a specific treatment plan. At Maryland Oncology Hematology, our physicians provide many second opinions on both breast cancer diagnosis and treatment options. Many insurance companies will cover a second opinion assessment, but it is still a good idea to contact your insurance provider for verification of coverage.
To schedule a second opinion with one of our physicians, locate one of our several locations that serve the Maryland and Washington D.C. areas that is most convenient for you and call our office to make an appointment.
- Bethesda
301-929-0765 - Brandywine
301-812-3900 - Clinton
301-868-7911 - Columbia
410-964-2212 - Lanham
301-474-0427 - Laurel
301-470-1001 - Rockville
301-424-6231 - Silver Spring
301-933-3216 - Wheaton
301-942-9220
You are Not Alone
Through this difficult time, the physicians at Maryland Oncology Hematology are here to help you every step of the way, including providing our patients with a binder with more helpful tips and what to expect during their breast cancer journey. There are also various community resources that may help you too. Visit our Patient Resources page for more information.
