Top 5 ideas to make treatment easier/better

This is my idea of what should be very helpful to most women with breast cancer.

1) Get a second opinion--now. For surgery, radiation, and chemo if need be. Never a bad idea.

2) Find a qualified breast surgeon-preferably a surgical oncologist. You would be surprised how the quality of surgery (scar, completeness) can be with the right surgeon.

3) Read Susan Love's Breast Book. A must --vital info.

4) For radiation ask about partial breast treatment, IMRT, and how much lung is being treated. More on this later.

5) Ask about long term side effects of radiation AND chemo. I've noticed most patients are not aware of the long terms side effects of chemotherapy. Not sure why.