100 Questions & Answers About Breast Cancer: .

by Zora K. Brown, Karl K. Boatman

Overview

Newly Revised and Updated! Whether you're a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient, a survivor, or a friend or relative of either, this book offers help. The only text to provide both the patient’s and doctor’s views, this completely updated third edition of this best-selling book gives you up-to-date, authoritative, practical answers to your questions about breast cancer, including risk factors and prevention, diagnosis and treatment options, post-treatment quality of life, sources of support, and much more. Now including an entire new section on the impact of cancer on sexuality, intimacy and fertility, 100 Questions & Answers About Breast Cancer, Third Edition is written by a prominent breast cancer advocate and survivor and by a cancer surgeon.The book is an invaluable resource for anyone coping with the physical and emotional turmoil of this frightening disease. © 2009 | 260 pages

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763760076
Publisher:	Jones & Bartlett Learning
Publication date:	11/28/2008
Series:	100 Questions & Answers about
Edition description:	1E
Pages:	260
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Zora Brown is Special Assistant to the President's Office for Health and Minority Initiatives at Integris Health, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Ms. Brown is founder and chairperson of Cancer Awareness Program Services (CAPS) and the Breast Cancer Resource Committee (BCRC) and founder of Rise, Sister, Rise, a breast cancer support group model for African American women. In 1996, she organized Men in Action Against Breast Cancer, a support arm of the Breast Cancer Resource Committee. In 2002 Ms. Brown, along with her nieces, founded SASSi™ (Sisters Accessing Skills for Survival and Intervention). Ms. Brown is an outspoken advocate for minority and women's health issues; presenting at both national and international forums. She appears regularly on the networks and CNN and other media as an expert on women's health.

Karl K. Boatman, M.D. is the clinical program director for the INTEGRIS Health Comprehensive Breast Center in Oklahoma City, OK.' He has devoted his entire professional career to the study and treatment of cancer.' He is a member of the American Medical Association, American College of Surgeons, Society of Surgical Oncology, American Society of Breast Surgeons, American Cancer Society, and the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project.' He has received numerous awards and honors and has published extensively.'

Table of Contents

Foreword ix

Introduction xiii

Part 1 The Basics 1

Will I die if I get breast cancer? Is it true that breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women?

What causes breast cancer? How do I determine whether I'm at risk?

What are the different types of breast cancer? What is the difference between invasive and noninvasive cancers?

Part 2 Risk Factors and Prevention 15

What risk factors are most important in determining my likelihood of getting cancer?

My breasts are always lumpy. Does this mean I have cancer or that I'm at a higher risk of getting cancer?

How does estrogen relate to breast cancer? Can birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy put me at risk?

Part 3 Diagnosis 47

I've found a lump in my breast. What do I do now?

How is a mammogram performed? Is it uncomfortable? Does it hurt?

I don't have insurance, buy my doctor wants me to have a mammogram to check out a suspicious lump. How can I get a mammogram if I can't afford one?

Part 4 Treatment 63

What should I do if it turns out I do have cancer?

What options are available for the treatment of breast cancer?

A friend suggested I get a second opinion. Should I?

Surgical Treatment

What is a mastectomy and how does it differ from a lumpectomy? Why would I choose one over the other?

How do I prepare for surgery? What can I expect after surgery, and how long will it take to recover?

What are the options for breast reconstruction, and how do I know which one to choose? Does insurance cover it, or will I have to pay for breast reconstruction?

Radiation Treatment

What is radiation therapy?

Are there different kinds of radiation therapy?

How do I prepare for radiationtherapy and what happens when I receive it? What are the common side effects, and how do I deal with them?

Chemotherapy and Hormonal Therapy

What is chemotherapy? How is hormonal therapy different?

What are the drugs most commonly used to treat breast cancer? How do they compare to other treatments?

I've heard dreadful stories about chemotherapy. What are some of the side effects, and how can they be alleviated?

Other Therapies

I had a radical mastectomy years ago, and my doctor says I should take tamoxifen now. What is it? Are there any side effects with tamoxifen?

What is meant by adjuvant therapy? Is it the same as alternative therapy?

Are there alternative or herbal treatments for breast cancer and its side effects? Do they work?

Part 5 Coping with Treatment and Side Effects 151

How can I relieve the pain associated with treatment?

What happens if the dose of pain medication I get isn't enough? Are pain drugs addictive?

What can I do to deal with hair loss?

Part 6 Changes Cancer Brings 175

Your Emotions

How do I get my life back to normal?

Is it normal not to have mood swings when diagnosed, or will there be a delay in that response?

Since my diagnosis of cancer, I'm not able to concentrate. Why is this happening? Is there anything I can do about it?

Your Body

My body seems different now that I have cancer-I don't feel as attractive. What can I do to change this?

Should I tell someone taking my blood pressure that I have had a mastectomy on that side?

Does positive thinking have any power in the healing process? How do I motivate myself?

Your Family

Why is it so difficult to tell friends and loved ones about my cancer diagnosis?

What support system is available for my family?

What do I tell a young child (especially a girl) who sees my mastectomy?

Part 7 The Impact of Cancer on Sexuality, Intimacy, and Fertility 199

How do my partner and I "deal" with my mastectomy?

How does a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment impact intimacy and sexuality?

Are there any medicines available that increase the desire for sex or make it more enjoyable? Compared to conventional treatments, are alternative medicines better at preserving sexuality?

Part 8 Personal Relations 221

I sometimes have conflicting feelings about wanting and needing calls from my friends, but I also crave having time alone. Why?

Sometimes I simply don't have the energy to socialize. What can I do to let my friends know that I still sometimes want to be included in special events?

How do I prepare my children, family, and friends for the place I'm in?

Appendix 227

A list of Web sites, organizations, and literature to help breast cancer patients and their families find additional resources on general and specific topics related to breast cancer.

Glossary 245

Index 253