April 2009

BREAST CANCER: CHEMOTHERAPY AND HAIR LOSS

Sometimes hair begins to grow back before the end of chemotherapy. This does not mean that the drugs are not working! It is just more evidence that everyone is different. As your hair grows in, it will probably be curly (even if you have always had straight hair). It may straighten out as it gets [...]

BREAST CANCER/RADIATION THERAPY: RADIATION PLANNING

Before beginning radiation, you will have an appointment for radiation planning. This is a painless procedure, but one which many women find emotionally difficult because the environment is strange and the machines may seem quite intimidating. Ask questions if you wish. You will be asked to lie still, your hand up under your head and [...]

BREAST CANCER: SURGICAL CHOICES (LOCAL TREATMENT)

You may need to decide simultaneously about both local (mastectomy or lumpectomy/ radiation) and systemic (chemotherapy or hormone therapy) treatments. You will feel confused and overwhelmed. Again, remember that your best resources are your doctors, other women who have gone through this, and information from books, medical journals, and magazines. Again, it may be important [...]

BREAST CANCER/PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS: CONCERNS OF SINGLE WOMEN

Women who do not have life partners may experience special stresses and worries as they move through the experience of having breast cancer. Remember that being married or having a committed, significant other is no guarantee of receiving unconditional and constant support. Many single women have friends who serve as family during this crisis in [...]

BREAST CANCER: CHOOSE YOUR TEAM

In the immediate aftermath of hearing that you have breast cancer, you may find it is difficult to think clearly and make the choices that will influence the rest of your treatment. You may be completely satisfied with the doctor or hospital where you heard the diagnosis, or you may wish to consider other possibilities. [...]