Questions to ask before breast cancer surgery

Being diagnosed with breast cancer and learning that you’ll need surgery is undoubtedly frightening, but preparing yourself in advance can help to make the whole process slightly easier.

In fact, studies suggest that patients who are well informed about their disease and available choices feel more secure with their treatment decisions and less anxious about their future.

The first step is to talk to your healthcare team to better understand your options. You can then focus on what is important for you and how your choices will affect your life following surgery.

When meeting cancer specialists, you may find it useful to bring:

Ask your doctor about the stage and grade of the cancer: this will give you an idea of the extent to which the disease has progressed. You may also want to discuss your breast cancer prognosis and risks of cancer recurrence with your doctor, but equally it is perfectly normal if you’d prefer to wait until after the surgery to have this conversation.

When you’ve understood the characteristics of your cancer, the next step is to review the different types of breast cancer surgery available, how they are carried out and the related side effects. Your surgeon may advise you about the most promising treatment options for you based on your test results. Make sure to ask why these treatments are your best options and how they compare to other types of surgeries – making an informed choice about cancer surgery can help you feel more confident about the path ahead. You may also want to know when you’ll be able to resume your usual activities (such as going back to work) after the operation.

If you opt for breast-sparing surgery, remember that you’ll probably need radiotherapy for a certain period of time – this is an important point to factor into any decision or future plans. If your doctor recommends a mastectomy (or if you feel more comfortable with this type of surgery), ask about the risks or benefits of immediate breast reconstruction surgery. Some women are also concerned about nipple reconstruction surgery – are you eligible for this type of reconstruction and what choices do you have?

It is important to determine whether and for how long you’ll need chemotherapy before and/or after the surgery. If you do need chemotherapy, knowing what to expect (that is, when and how it is carried out and the associated side effects) can make the whole process less overwhelming.

Once the most appropriate type of surgery for your diagnosis has been agreed, ask your doctor for tips on how to prepare for the procedure. For instance, will you need to start or stop taking certain medications or supplements? Should you change your diet and lifestyle habits (such as smoking or excessive alcohol intake) before, during and/or after the surgery? If you do, find out how adopting these changes can benefit your overall health. You’ll have a lot on your plate before and after the procedure – knowing that small changes can improve the surgery’s success rate can make it easier for you to stick to them.

Remember: it’s perfectly acceptable to ask for a second opinion – a good surgeon will not mind referring you to another specialist.

Surgery choices – questions to ask yourself

Make sure to jot down your own questions before meeting your surgeon or doctor.


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