Keep it at home

The Problem

Medical records will get lost if you mail them.

Doctors offices will lose your records.

When you go for a second opinion the office will not have a complete set of your records.

So much precious time is lost if you don't have a backup medical folder at your home.

It should include:

1. all consultations
2. lab reports
3. x-ray reports
4. copies of x-rays
5. office visit notes
6. medical history
7. prescription history
8. radiation and chemotherapy records
9. operative reports

If you have this you will never have to worry or have an appointment canceled because of lack of records.  It is worth its weight in gold.

Remember, you entitled to all of your medical records.  Ask for a copy every time you have a test, consult, x-ray, anything.

Obtain a second opinion

When faced with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation obtain second opinions if you have any doubts or questions.

There are many types of surgery-lumpectomy, mastectomy, skin sparing mastectomy, lumpectomy with mammomsite, etc.  

Each patient may require different expertise.  Some surgeons are experts in breast conserving therapy and others lean more towards mastectomy.  Often, it is just a belief or preference.

It is imperative to know that different surgeons will recommend different procedures based on their preferences----5 different surgeons may give you 5 different recommendations.  It depends heavily on what procedures they are experienced in and what they believe.  

I have seen surgeons recommend mastectomy when lumpectomy would have been appropriate and preferred by most other surgeons. And it is a shame to do a mastectomy when lumpectomy is appropriate.  There is no reason for a woman to lose a breast if there is no benefit.  This is common and very unfortunate.  

FACT:  For early stage breast cancer, if a woman is an appropriate candidate for lumpectomy, there is no advantage to mastectomy.  A woman will not sacrifice her life if she chooses to preserve her breast.  Lumpectomy is equal to mastectomy except with lumpectomy she gets to keep her breast.

See this link for information regarding mastectomy vs lumpectomy in the USA.  Prepared to be surprised.

See this link for an excellent commentary by Dr. Susan Love on  double mastectomy and breast conserving therapy. Dr. Love is a pioneer in breast conserving therapy and superior woman's advocate.

Only one thing is important

And that one important, critical really, piece of information is:

You have to get to the right (best) doctor.  

The right doctor simply makes the right choices.  It is that simple.

Most of the hard work is in the decision making.

If you get to the right surgeon

1. You will be offered the correct choices. Mastectomy or lumpectomy? Reconstruction?
2. You will not have to wonder if the decision is based on money or lack of knowledge.

If you get to the wrong surgeon

1. He/she may not be up on the latest advances in breast surgery.
2. You may be told to have a mastectomy when a lumpectomy would be more appropriate.
3. You may regret not looking harder for a better decision maker/surgeon.

14 steps every breast cancer patient should take before treatment

This site is dedicated to the patients I have cared for over the last 15 years. I've spent my career promoting breast conserving therapy to make sure woman get the best care possible.  As a board certified radiation oncologist I specialize in breast cancer treatment. 

This blog will make sure all woman with breast cancer are given the correct information to make the best decisions possible.  I will comment later on each of these points.

So many problems can be avoided if proper steps are taken before treatment.  

14 steps every breast cancer patient should take before treatment

  1. Obtain a second opinion--this is a must.  And get one for surgery, chemo, and radiation.

2. Keep a folder with all of your medical records at your home. This will save time and heartache.

3. Have the surgeon explain and write out the options. Most times there are quite a few options.

 4. Obtain a copy of the surgeons consultation and take to your second opinion.

5. Understand how referrals are made. Sometimes to friends. Not always to the best.

6. If you feel a lump and have a negative mammogram-demand to see a breast surgeon.
  
7. Make sure you see a dedicated breast surgeon-preferably a surgical oncologist. Check!

8. Get a list of surgeons and ask friends and past patients who is the best. Why is he/she best?

9. Check credentials of anyone you  see.  What type of surgeon or doctor is he/she?  Lawsuits?

10. Read Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book. It is the bible and amazingly helpful. Get it here.

11. There are many different chemotherapy options.  Each medical oncologist has his favorite.   Your second opinion may be very different than your first opinion.  This is good.

12. Ask for a written list of all short term and long term side effects at each consultation.  

13. Obtain a copy of all consultations and put in your folder at home.  

14. Take charge!  You must be in control and do what is right for your best medical care.

More on each of these real soon.