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 to limit what you read. Much of what is available in bookstores and libraries and on the web can be overwhelming and frightening. Read only what is relevant to you and your particular situation. Try hard not to read ahead about possible future difficulties! It is not helpful to create extra anxiety about every possible thing that might happen to you.
Surgical Choices (Local Treatment)
You have already had a biopsy. The primary treatment for breast cancer is almost always surgery, and you may have choices:
*Breast conservation or lumpectomy, in which only the tumor and surrounding tissue are removed
*Mastectomy with or without reconstruction.
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