Part 1: The Basics

• What is cancer?
• Will I die if I get breast cancer? Is it true that breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women?
• What causes breast cancer? How do I determine whether I’m at risk?
• Does breast cancer only affect breast tissue? Are there different types of breast cancer?
• What are the different types of breast cancer? What is the difference between invasive and noninvasive cancers?
• There are different types of breast cancers, so are there also different types of benign breast problems?

Part 2: Risk Factors and Prevention

• What risk factors are most important in determining my likelihood of getting cancer?
• My breasts are always lumpy. Does this mean I have cancer, or that I’m at a higher risk of getting cancer?
• How does estrogen relate to breast cancer? Can birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy put me at risk?
• I’ve heard a lot of different theories about what causes breast cancer. How do I tell which factors should concern me? Should I do research?
• Is there anything I can do to prevent breast cancer?
• What is a breast self-examination (BSE), and why should I perform one? When should I start doing BSE? How often should I do BSEs?
• How do I perform a breast self-examination (BSE)?
• What is a clinical breast exam (CBE)? How often should I get a CBE?
• What is the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool?
• Do mammograms prevent breast cancer? Who should get one, and why?
• If mammograms are so good at detecting non-symptomatic tumors, why should I continue doing breast self-examinations?
• How do genes affect breast cancer risk? Is there a “breast cancer gene”? Does every woman with an altered breast cancer gene get cancer?
• What is genetic testing for cancer risk?  What should I consider before getting tested?  What can I do if I have an altered gene? Will getting a genetic test affect my health insurance coverage?  Can they refuse to cover me if the test is positive?  Where can I get more information about genetic testing?  What questions should I ask?

Part 3: Diagnosis

• I’ve found a lump in my breast. What do I do now?
• I don’t have insurance, but my doctor wants to me to have a mammogram to check out a suspicious lump. How can I get one if I can’t afford it?
•  How is a mammogram performed? Is it uncomfortable? Does it hurt?
• What might show up on a mammogram, and what results should concern me?
• Why do I need a biopsy if a mammogram has located a mass?

Part 4: Treatment - Surgical, Radiation, Chemotherapy and Hormonal Therapies and Other Therapies

• What do I do if it turns out I do have cancer?
• What are the options available for the treatment of breast cancer?
• A friend suggested I get a second opinion.  Should I? If so, how?
• What things should I consider when making treatment choices?
• The pathologist’s report uses categories of “grade” and “stage” in describing my cancer. What do these mean? Which is more important?
• What is the difference between cancer and recurrent cancer? How is recurrence prevented or treated?
• Why do I need a team of doctors to treat me? Who are they? How do I choose my team of doctors?
• What is the difference between local and systemic treatment?
• Should I have a bone scan before my breast surgery? What will it tell?

Surgical

• What is a mastectomy and how does it differ from a lumpectomy? Why would I choose one over the other?
• How do I prepare for surgery? What can I expect after surgery, and how long will it take to recover?
• I’m not a candidate for lumpectomy, so the surgeon is recommending total mastectomy. Is it possible to reconstruct my breast?
•  What are the options for breast reconstruction, and how do I know which one to choose? Does insurance cover it, or will I have to pay for breast reconstruction?
• What is lymphedema, and how is it treated? 
•  How do I know if I’ll get lymphedema? Is there anything I can do to prevent it?

Radiation

• What is radiation therapy?
• Are there different kinds of radiation therapy?
• How do I prepare for radiation therapy and what happens when I receive it? What are the common side effects, and how do I deal with them?
• How does internal radiation therapy differ from external radiation therapy?

Chemotherapy and Hormonal Therapy

• What is chemotherapy? How is hormonal therapy different?
• What are the drugs most commonly used to treat breast cancer? How do they compare to other treatments?
• I’ve heard dreadful stories about chemotherapy.  What are some of the side effects, and how can they be alleviated?
• What can I do about fatigue? Why do I have more energy some days, less on others?
• What is a clinical trial? Should I consider joining a clinical trial?
• What is meant by hormonal therapy?

Other Therapies

• I had a radical mastectomy years ago, and my doctor says I should take tamoxifen now. What is it? Are there any side effects with tamoxifen?
• What is meant by adjuvant therapy? Is it the same as alternative therapy?
• Are there alternative or herbal treatments for breast cancer and its side effects? Do they work?
• What happens if the treatment doesn’t work? What happens if the cancer comes back?

Part 5: Coping with Treatment and Side Effects

• How can I relieve the pain associated with treatment?
• What happens if the dose of pain medication I get isn’t enough? Are pain drugs addictive?
• What can I do to deal with hair loss?
• Do meditation and guided imaging really help prevent recurrences?
• Where do I find treatment that will take a holistic approach to healing?
• Do women’s support groups really help? Isn’t the discussion depressing?
• Can I put off surgery while I take an extended vacation?
• I can’t afford the medicine for chemotherapy; can I use half the dose? Where can I find help with the expense if I don’t have insurance?
• Can I use something for nausea from the chemotherapy? Does marijuana help me find relief?
• I got my diagnosis through Medicaid. Will Medicaid also cover my treatment?
• When all else fails, how do I prepare myself and my family for my death?
• Are there legal steps I can take to make my wishes known in case I’m not able to speak for myself near the end?