CHAPTER 1   Breast Cancer Basics

• What is Breast Cancer?         Tumors         Growth Rate         Types of Breast Cancer         How Cancer Spreads • Breast Anatomy and Function         Breast Anatomy         How Breasts Change back to top

CHAPTER 2   Early Detection

• Breast Health Awareness         Breast Health Awareness         Breast Self Examination:           - Looking           - Feeling         Clinical Breast Examination         Mammography         Other Imaging Modalities • Risk Factors         Breast Cancer Genes back to top

CHAPTER 3   Diagnosis & Staging

• Diagnosing Cancer         Confirming the Diagnosis         FNA         Core Needle Biopsy         Surgical Biopsy • Tumor Staging         Tumor Testing           - Estrogen Receptors and Progesterone Receptors           - HER-2/neu (c-erb B2)         Other Tumor Testing           - Growth Rate           - Ploidy           - p53           - Vascular or Lymphatic Invasion           - Genetic Profiling         Additional Tests           - CT Scan           - MRI           - Bone Scan           - PET Scan         How Stage is Determined         TNM          Stages of Breast Cancer         The Pathology Report back to top

CHAPTER 4   Facing Breast Cancer

• Facing Breast Cancer         Facing Breast Cancer         Understanding Your Feelings • Sharing the News         Communicating With Your Partner         Telling Your Children         Dealing with Problems         Telling Your Family         Dealing with Friends         Dealing with Employers • Your Support Network         Assembling Your Support Network         Support Groups back to top

CHAPTER 5   Planning Your Treatment

• Your Healthcare Team         Your Healthcare Team         Who Is Who On the Team?         Getting a Second Opinion         Changing Doctors • Gathering Information         Gathering Information • Overview of Treatment Options         Overview of Treatment Options         Do You Need Systemic Treatment?         Planning Your Treatment back to top

CHAPTER 6   Treatment Options

• Why You Need Surgery         Lumpectomy           - What is a Lumpectomy?           - Before Surgery           - The Surgical Procedure           - Recovery after Lumpectomy           - Radiation Therapy after Lumpectomy           - Is Lumpectomy Right for Me?         Mastectomy           - What is a Mastectomy?           - Before Surgery           - The Surgical Procedure           - Immediate Reconstruction           - Recovery after Mastectomy           - Exercises After Mastectomy           - Is Mastectomy Right for Me?         Lymph Node Examination           - Why Examine the Lymph Nodes           - Axillary Lymph Node Dissection           - Sentinel Node Biopsy           - Side Effects           - Lymphedema • Breast Reconstruction         Breast Reconstruction         Reconstruction Options         Reconstruction Options         Choosing a Plastic Surgeon         Reconstruction with Implants           - The Implant Procedure           - After Surgery           - Reconstruction with Your Own Tissues           - TRAM (Transverse Rectus Abdominis) Flap           - Latissimus Dorsi Flap           - Free Flap           - Recovery After Reconstruction         Which Reconstruction is Right for Me?           - Synthetic Implants           - Tissue Flaps           - Immediate Reconstruction           - Delayed Reconstruction           - Nipple and Areola Reconstruction           - External Breast Forms • Radiation Therapy         What is Radiation Therapy?         External Beam Radiation           - Therapy Treatment Planning           - How Treatment is Given           - Side Effects of External Beam Radiation Therapy           - Fatigue           - Skin Changes           - Caring for Your Skin During Radiation Therapy           - Other Side Effects           - Brachytherapy • Chemotherapy         What is Chemotherapy?         Do You Need Chemotherapy?         How Chemotherapy Works         How Chemotherapy is Given         Dose Dense Chemotherapy         Typical IV Chemotherapy Day         Vascular Access Devices         Side Effects of Chemotherapy           - Why Side Effects?           - Nausea           - Fatigue           - Hair Loss           - Suppression           - Infections           - Other Side Effects           - Sexual Side Effects‹Physical           - Sexual Side Effects‹Psychological           - Oral Chemotherapy           - Common Chemotherapy Drugs • Hormone Therapy         What is Hormone Therapy?         How Hormone Therapy is Given         Do You Need Hormone Therapy?         Side Effects of Hormone Therapy • Immunotherapy         What is Immunotherapy?         Herceptin         How Herceptin Works         Side Effects of Immunotherapy         Do You Need Immunotherapy?         Future Therapies • Complementary Therapy         "Complementary" vs. "Alternative"         Complementary Therapies         Mind/Body Connection         Meditation and Visualization         Spiritual Support         Humor / Laughter         Diet         Vitamins         Other Complementary Therapies           - Acupuncture           - Homeopathy           - Alternative Treatments • Treating DCIS         What is DCIS?         Mastectomy or Lumpectomy?         Radiation Therapy or Not?         Treatment of DCIS • Clinical Trials         What are Trials?         How are Trials Conducted?         Participating in a Trial         Is a Trial Right for Me? back to top

CHAPTER 7   Life After Cancer

• Emotional Recovery         Emotional Recovery         Reactive Depression         Clinical Depression • Physical Recovery         Regular Follow-Up         Clinical Breast Examination         Mammography         MRI         Breast Self Examination (BSE)           - A Thorough BSE Should Include           - Care of the Surgical Arm • Intimacy and Sexuality         Your Self Image         Side Effects of Treatment         Resuming Sexual Activity         Single After Breast Cancer         How and When do I Tell Him About my Cancer?         Being a Young Survivor • Fertility • New Beginnings         New Perspective         Healthy Habits         Good Nutrition         Physical Activity         Lifestyle Changes         Getting Involved • For Your Family Members         Screening         Genetic Testing back to top

CHAPTER 8   Advanced Breast Cancer

• Recurrent Breast Cancer         Recurrent Breast Cancer • Treatment Options         Surgery         Radiation Therapy         Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy and Immunotherapy • Coping with Advanced Breast Cancer back to top

CHAPTER 9   A Guide For Your Partner

• Role of the Partner • Breast Cancer 101     • Understanding Your Feelings • What Do I Do Now? • What She Needs From You         Emotional Support         Reassurance About Her Appearance         Sexual Intimacy         Help with Daily Activities • Meeting Your Own Needs         Finding Support for You         Dealing with the Workload         Author's Experience back to top

CHAPTER 10   Glossary

CHAPTER 11   Resources

CHAPTER 12   FAQ

back to top