The everything health guide to living with breast cancer

Introduction

1. An Overview of Breast Cancer

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

BRCA1 and BRCA2 Genes

The Role of the Immune System in Cell Growth and Metastasis

What to Expect-a Basic Timeframe

Think about Your Treatment

2. What Does Breast Cancer Mean?

Types of Breast Cancer

Tumor Size

Tumor Grade

Lymph Node Status

Lymphedema

Stages of Breast Cancer

Estrogen Receptor Status

Biomarkers

3. Tests to Diagnose Breast Cancer

Traditional Mammography

Digital Mammography

Ultrasound

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Breast Biopsy

Genetic Testing

The Waiting Game

4. Exploring Your Options

How to Choose Your Physician

Learn as Much as You Can about Your Choices and Challenges

Examine Your Decision

Slow Down-Make an Informed Decision

Make the Best Decision with the Information You Have

Getting Rid of "What If?"

Try Not to Jump Ahead of Where You Are

5. Treatment Options and Side Effects

Surgery

Chemotherapy

What Are Clinical Trials and Are They for Me?

Hormonel Therapies

Radiation Therapy

Which Treatment Option Is Best for You?

Making the Right Decision for You

6. Personal Resources and Support Systems

Know Your Support Systems

Bring Someone You Respect to Your Appointments

Friends and Family Will Keep You Going in the Midst of Adversity

Health Care Providers as Partners

Spiritual Strength: Build Upon Your Spiritual Self

Financial Resources

Health Insurance

Employment Benefits/Resources

7. Feelings of Being Overwhelmed: Why Me?

The Reality Hits: I Have Cancer

Questioning Your Everyday Life

The Gloom and Doom Stage

Accept Full Responsibility for Your Life

Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of Depression

Fear of Recurrence

Commit to Growth, not Perfection

Keep Your Goals in Mind, Reassess, and Make Changes

8. Sharing Your Diagnosis

How to Tell People You Have Breast Cancer

Telling Your Spouse/Partner

Telling Your Parents, Siblings, and Family

Telling Your Children

Telling Your Friends

Telling Acquaintances

Telling Future Mates/Dates

9. Going Through Treatment

It's All on Your Head-or Was

How Do I Pick a Wig?

Dealing with Fatigue

Recognizing the Role of Energy in Healing

Cancer and Sexuality

Why Does My Body Feel Different?

Feeding Your Body-What Is Right for You

Vitamins and Health Food

10. Healthy Coping

Let Friends and Family Help

Past Coping Patterns-What Worked?

Loss Is the Overriding Theme

Do What You Enjoy Best

Seek Out Humor

Try Journaling

Be Kind to Yourself

Join a Support Group

Exercise

Grow Yourself

11. Exploring the World of Complementary Therapies

Meditation

Yoga

Pilates

Reiki

Massage

Acupuncture

Healing Touch

Art Therapy

Diet

12. Positive Mental Attitude

Develop a Positive Mental Attitude

Choose to Find Hope in All You Do

Do Whatever It Takes to Stay Positive

Life Is a Process, so Is Having Breast Cancer

Surround Yourself with Positive People

13. Opportunities

In All of Life's Crises Lie Opportunities

Evaluate What Is Important to You

Find an Opportunity to Reach Out to Others

Volunteer to Help a Local Breast Cancer Cause

Breast Cancer Awareness and the Pink Ribbon

Discover the Wisdom That Cancer Brings

Living Life the Way It Was Meant to Be Lived

14. Empowerment and Capturing Your "New Normal"

Your Greatest Growth Comes from Your Greatest Difficulties

Find Out What Is Important to You

Know You Are in the Driver's Seat

Listen to Your Heart and Follow It

The Benefits of Loving Your Life with Purpose and Design

Accept That Your Old Self Is No Longer

Identifying What Your "New Normal" Is

Deciding How You Want to Live the Rest of Your Life

Be Sensitive to Family and Friends as They Adjust

Embracing the Freedom You Deserve

15. The Future of Living with Breast Cancer

Getting Down to the Business of Life

What about My 401(k)?

Continue to Question How You Spend Your Time and Money

Reassess the Status of Your Will/HCP/DPOA

Assess Any Special Considerations and Plan for Them

Make Plans-Expect to Live

16. Write Your Own Story

Trace Your Family History; Create a Legacy

Plan a Family Reunion

Write Letters to the Special People in Your Life

Wisdom That You Would Like to Pass On

Family/Friend Traditions

Family Recipes

Special Memories in Your Life

How to Write the Story of Your Life

17. Stages of Grief

The Grief Cycle

Denial

Anger

Bargaining

Depression

Acceptance

Survival

18. Riding the Waves

Riding the Ups and Downs

The Ups

The Downs

The Calm

The Storm

Weathering the Storm

Navigating It All

19. When Someone You Love Is Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Your Role as Supporter

How Can You Help Your Loved One During Breast Cancer Treatment?

Share Your Talents

Do Everything Out of Love

What if She Rejects My Help?

Follow Your Heart and Be There for Her

If Your Mother, Sister, Aunt, or Grandmother Is Diagnosed

20. What's New in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

The Present

New Chemotheraphy Combinations and Treatments

New Therapeutic Advancements-Precision Guided Cancer Treatment

Breast Cancer Stem Cell Research

Quality of Life Research

Breast Cancer Vaccines Targeting HER-2 Breast Cancer

What Is Translational Research?

A Word about the Environment and Other Cancer Suspects

Appendix A. Glossary

Appendix B. Resources

Appendix C. Breast Cancer and Cancer Organizations

Appendix D. What to Bring to Your Chemotherapy Appointments

Index