If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, you might feel overwhelmed. You can count on your care team to talk you through the details of what will happen next. Here are some things to expect as you move through diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

Health care providers

You’ll be connected with a team of different providers to manage your care during your breast cancer journey. These experts, trained in specific treatments and cancer-related health issues, will work together. Some of these providers may include a:

• Breast surgeon. Also known as a surgical oncologist, this provider specializes in treating breast cancer through surgical procedures.
• Radiation oncologist. This provider specializes in treating breast and other forms of cancer with targeted radiation.
• Medical oncologist. This expert is trained to diagnose and treat cancer using chemotherapy and other medications.
• Plastic surgeon. This surgeon, also called a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, can change the way a body part looks. A plastic surgeon can rebuild breasts after cancer surgery.

Types of treatment

Breast cancer treatments are broken down into two broad categories: local and systemic. Local treatments are laser-focused on the tumor. Examples of local treatments for breast cancer include:

• Surgery.
• Radiation.

Systemic treatments are typically drug treatments. These medications can treat cancer almost anywhere in the body. They can be taken by mouth, injected into a muscle or put into the bloodstream. Different types of breast cancer may need different systemic treatments. These can include:

• Chemotherapy.
• Hormone therapy.
• Targeted drug therapy.
• Immunotherapy.

Questions to ask your provider

It’s easy to draw a blank when your provider asks if you have any questions. Bring these questions with you to your next appointment:

• What type of breast cancer do I have? What is the tumor’s size?
• What is the stage of my cancer?
• Will I need any more tests before choosing a course of treatment?
• What are my treatment options, and what do you recommend?
• How much experience do you have treating breast cancers like mine?
• What should I do to get ready for treatment?
• How will treatment affect my life? Can I still go to work?
• How will we know if the treatment is effective?
• What side effects should I expect?

Source: Coffey Communications; American Cancer Society