Where can I get help and support about Breast Cancer?

Your doctor will discuss the plan for your Breast Cancer treatment throughout your care. Often the plan may change as new information is obtained- such as the results of a sentinel lymph node biopsy or the receptor status of your cancer. Every plan is likely to include surgery and at least one other modality of treatment. There are many different but equally good ways of treating Breast Cancer. Your doctor will discuss with you the way she thinks is best, based on the discussions within the multidisciplinary team and new evidence or new treatments which are always being developed.

The most important person in the discussion is you, or your loved one with cancer, and all the decisions around treatment are ultimately made by you. Doctors can give you the evidence and advice based on years of training and experience, but the patient must decide what is best for her.

By the time a Breast Cancer is picked up by a clinician or on a mammogram, it has been developing in the breast for 2-6 years. There is no such thing as emergency treatment for Breast Cancer, and whilst it is important to seek treatment immediately, there is time to discuss with your family and friends, with previous cancer survivors and with support groups, what you feel about your cancer and your treatment.

There are different ways in which a Breast Cancer may be treated with equally good results. In different parts of the world the four pillars of treatments may be used in a different order. You own health and previous history of illnesses may influence the kind of treatment you can be offered. No doctor will consider it an insult if you ask for a second opinion.

The internet is wonderful at opening doors to a world of knowledge and it is important that you research as much as you want into your treatment. Many large cancer organisations around the world have excellent and trustworthy information for patients. Some of these are:

There is also a lot of advice and treatments offered on the internet that are not based on good scientific evidence, and many well-meaning people who have sought other methods of treating cancer. When you read all sources of information, it is important to read critically and not to trust everything you read or hear of. Discuss any concerns or reading you have done with your doctor as they can often help you discern the true and trustworthy from the fraudulent.

You do not have to survive cancer alone. In every part of the country there are networks of Breast Cancer survivors who are ready to support you from diagnosis onward. Some of these organisations are:

Many of these organisations hold meetings, for support and for gaining information about their disease. They also get involved in fundraising for Breast Cancer charities. Most organisations are committed to helping you fight your cancer and walking with you every step of the way.

 

You never stop being a Breast Cancer survivor, and in time you will be able to support others too.