Free stock photo from pexels.com
It is essential that the patient and the doctor talk about the disease and the treatment, raising doubts and clarifying points that help the patient to face the disease with confidence. Good communication and empathy can make a lot of difference on this journey.
So, do not leave doubts behind during the consultation with your doctor. Talking to him helps in understanding the treatment! See some tips:
- If you don’t understand what the expert says, ask him to use simpler terms;
- Bring a notebook to the appointment: this way, you can take note of the most important points and ensure that you won’t forget them;
- Write down any doubts that arise in everyday life and take them to consultations;
- If you want additional information about your case, ask your doctor to recommend books, websites, and articles that can help you understand;
- The information is complex, so don’t worry about understanding everything in the first consultation;
- If possible, always have a companion with you during consultations: he or she will be able to help assimilate the information.
Questions not to be missed
- Are there any special recommendations for this moment?
- What stage is the cancer at?
- Is my cancer hormone receptor-positive or negative?
- Is my cancer HER2-positive or negative?
- What are the treatment options and how do they work?
- What are the most common and least common side effects of treatment? How will this treatment benefit me?
- How can I avoid the discomforts of treatment?
- What is the expected duration of treatment?
- How often will I need to visit the doctor and have tests performed during treatment?
- What exams will be needed?
- In which cases will hospitalization be necessary?
- Will I need to follow a specific diet?
- Will breast reconstruction be possible?
- Can I have lymphedema? What are the odds?
- Is there a chance that cancer will come back?
- Who should I call if I have questions and problems regarding treatment?
- After finishing the treatment, what will be the next steps?
Original article accessed at: https://mulherconsciente.com.br/cancer-de-mama/tudo-sobre-o-cancer-de-mama/#tipos-cancer-inicial, accessed on August 2022.
References:
- Preparing for your appointment. Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352475, last accessed on August 2022.
- Breast Cancer: Questions to Ask the Doctor. American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/breast-cancer/questions-ask-doctor, last accessed on August 2022.