Ruth ORegan - Breast Cancer Journey: The Essential Guide to Treatment and Recovery

Published by the American Cancer Society

Health Promotions

250 Williams Street NW

Atlanta, GA 30303-1002

2001, 2013 American Cancer Society.

First edition 2001. Third edition 2013.

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher.

For permission to reprint any materials from this publication, contact the publisher at .

Printed in the United States of America

Cover design and composition by LaShae Ortiz

Copy editing by Patricia A. French, Left Lane Communications

Illustrations by Samuel K. Collins, CMI, FAMI, and Amy P. Collins, FAMI

Indexing by Bob Land

1 2 3 4 5 13 14 15 16 17

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

ORegan, Ruth.

Breast cancer journey : the essential guide to treatment and recovery.Third edition / Ruth ORegan, MD [and five others].

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-60443-030-1 (pbk. : alk. paper)ISBN 1-60443-030-3 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. BreastCancerPopular works. I. American Cancer Society. II. Title.

RC280.B8B6876 2013

616.99449dc23

2013019504

Quantity discounts on bulk purchases of this book are available. Book excerpts can also be created to fit specific needs. For information, please contact the American Cancer Society, Health Promotions Publishing, 250 Williams Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303-1002, or send an e-mail to .

American Cancer Society

Managing Director, Content: Chuck Westbrook

Director, Book Publishing: Len Boswell

Managing Editor, Book Publishing: Rebecca Teaff, MA

Senior Editor, Book Publishing: Jill Russell

Book Publishing Coordinator: Vanika Jordan, MSPub

Editorial Assistant, Book Publishing: Amy Rovere

Index

The treatment information in this book is not official policy of the American Cancer Society and is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your cancer care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor.

For more information about breast cancer, contact your American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345 or www.cancer.org.

You have breast cancer. Hearing those words changes everything and triggers a flood of emotions. You may suddenly feel shock, anger, fear, or sadness. You may question why this has happened to you. You may wonder how you are going to manage your life and cope with this new reality. These are all normal reactions to receiving a diagnosis of cancer. And there may be times, in the days and months ahead, that you will feel overwhelmed in trying to orient yourself to the changes in your life.

In the midst of all the pressure and upheaval a cancer diagnosis brings, remember that there is hope. Today, more is known about breast cancer and its treatment than ever before. Many women who receive a diagnosis of breast cancer will be cured by standard medical treatments. Many women recover completely, and others live for years with their cancer well under control. Each persons cancer is different; therefore, the way your body responds to cancer and its treatment will also be unique.

Beginning to inform yourself about your disease and your health is an important step in your journey forward. Making informed decisions will help you feel more in control of your lifeat a time when everything around you feels out of control!

From the perspective of a pathology report or a medical textbook, breasts are simply parts of the body. But in reality, breasts are more than that. Throughout life, the breasts are integral to a womans personal experiencesof puberty, sex, motherhood, health, and aging. They are symbolic of sexuality, beauty, power, desire, femininity, pleasure, and comfort. Coming to terms with a breast cancer diagnosis can bring with it the recognition that having this disease may affect the way you see yourself as a woman.

Breast Cancer Journey: The Essential Guide to Treatment and Recovery explores the experiences and challenges youre likely to face during your breast cancer experience. In this revised edition, youll learn how cancer and its treatment can affect your body, your emotions, your family, and your life in general. The book covers these crucial topics:

• breast cancer treatment options and potential side effects, including the latest surgical techniques, drug therapies, and complementary and alternative therapies
• the physical and emotional side effects associated with breast cancer and its treatment and how to manage them
• intimacy, fertility, lymphedema, and other issues of importance for breast cancer patients and survivors
• the latest surgical techniques for breast reconstruction
• updated and expanded information on life after cancer treatment
• detailed questions to ask your medical team

How to Use This Book

This new edition of Breast Cancer Journey is designed to help you through each phase of diagnosis and treatment. This is your book. Use it. Bend the pages. Make notes in it. You might prefer to read it from cover to cover or read only the parts that apply to you.

: Understanding Breast Cancer

outlines the basics of breast cancer: what it is, what the risk factors are, and the most common diagnostic tests and procedures used when breast cancer is suspected. Not every person will want or need to read these first few chapters, depending on where she is in the process. However, for some, becoming more familiar with the basic anatomy and terminology will help you make more informed decisions about your care.

: Preparing for Treatment

also will help you navigate an often complex and confusing medical system, from getting a second opinion to becoming an active participant in your care.

: Treatment

provides an overview of various treatment options for breast cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and drugs to protect the bones. Each treatment is examined, along with its benefits, risks, and side effects. Additional information on clinical trials and complementary and alternative therapies is provided to help you learn about all types of treatment options.

: Living with the Effects of Treatment

The chapters in part IV address what to expect during and immediately after treatment. They include information on managing side effects and symptoms and maintaining your emotional health. This section also details the latest options for breast reconstruction.

: Practical Matters: Work, Insurance, and Finances

The chapters in part V explore many of the practical challenges that can come with cancer treatment, such as work issues and managing insurance and financial matters.

: Life After Cancer

focuses on physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness after cancer treatment. This section provides suggestions for maintaining your health and receiving follow-up care, eating well and staying physically active, and finding renewed meaning in life after cancer. Post-treatment issues such as adjusting to life after treatment, intimacy and sexuality, and the possibility of recurrence are also covered.