Questions for your surgeon
- How much of my breast needs to be removed?
- Which surgical procedure do you recommend to remove my tumour?
- Can I choose between partial mastectomy and mastectomy?
- How will my breast look after surgery?
- If I have a mastectomy, what is the likelihood that I might still need radiation therapy?
- If I choose to have immediate reconstruction, how much will this delay my surgery?
- If I don’t have immediate reconstruction, is delayed reconstruction available for me and what would be the wait-time for this?
- If I choose to have implants, will they need replacing in the future?
- Is chemotherapy before surgery (neo-adjuvant chemotherapy) an option for me?
- How long will I need to be in hospital?
- How much time should I allow for recovery at home?
- When will my first follow-up appointment be scheduled?
- What should I expect after surgery? Will I have drains, nerve damage or ongoing changes? What will my movement and comfort be like? Will I have feeling in my breast?
- Will I need any further treatment after surgery?
- How will the breast surgery affect my work, sex life and mobility?
- Will I be able to breastfeed in the future?
- When should I begin to use the affected arm, and what arm exercises should I do to prevent stiffness?
- Can I talk to someone who has had the operation?
- How much will the surgery cost?
- What support is available after the surgery, in terms of lymphoedema prevention, psychological assistance, survivorship care, or lifestyle advice?
Questions for your oncologist
- Do I need to have chemotherapy?
- What are the characteristics of my cancer that make this necessary?
- How much will this benefit me?
- How would my prognosis be affected if I don’t have chemotherapy?
- Are there any clinical trials which are appropriate for me?
- What side effects can I expect?
- How will this affect my fertility?
- Can I continue to work during treatment?
- How long will the treatment last?
- What other tests will I need to have?
- What can I do to get ready for treatment?
- Do I need hormone therapy?
- How much benefit would this give me?
- How long will I need to take it for?
- What are the common side effects?
- Do I need to have radiation therapy?
- How will this benefit me?
- What are the risks?
- What side effects can I expect?
- How many treatments will I need?
- How can I take care of my skin?