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| Foreword | |
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| Introduction | |
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| The Basics | |
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| Will I die if I get breast cancer? Is it true that breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women? | |
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| What causes breast cancer? How do I determine whether I'm at risk? | |
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| What are the different types of breast cancer? What is the difference between invasive and noninvasive cancers? | |
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| Risk Factors and Prevention | |
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| What risk factors are most important in determining my likelihood of getting cancer? | |
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| My breasts are always lumpy. Does this mean I have cancer or that I'm at a higher risk of getting cancer? | |
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| How does estrogen relate to breast cancer? Can birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy put me at risk? | |
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| Diagnosis | |
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| I've found a lump in my breast. What do I do now? | |
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| How is a mammogram performed? Is it uncomfortable? Does it hurt? | |
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| 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? | |
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| Treatment | |
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| What should I do if it turns out I do have cancer? | |
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| What options are available for the treatment of breast cancer? | |
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| A friend suggested I get a second opinion. Should I? | |
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| Surgical Treatment | |
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| What is a mastectomy and how does it differ from a lumpectomy? Why would I choose one over the other? | |
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| How do I prepare for surgery? What can I expect after surgery, and how long will it take to recover? | |
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| 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? | |
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| Radiation Treatment | |
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| What is radiation therapy? | |
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| Are there different kinds of radiation therapy? | |
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| How do I prepare for radiation therapy and what happens when I receive it? What are the common side effects, and how do I deal with them? | |
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| Chemotherapy and Hormonal Therapy | |
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| What is chemotherapy? How is hormonal therapy different? | |
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| What are the drugs most commonly used to treat breast cancer? How do they compare to other treatments? | |
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| I've heard dreadful stories about chemotherapy. What are some of the side effects, and how can they be alleviated? | |
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| Other Therapies | |
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| 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? | |
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| What is meant by adjuvant therapy? Is it the same as alternative therapy? | |
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| Are there alternative or herbal treatments for breast cancer and its side effects? Do they work? | |
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| Coping with Treatment and Side Effects | |
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| How can I relieve the pain associated with treatment? | |
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| What happens if the dose of pain medication I get isn't enough? Are pain drugs addictive? | |
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| What can I do to deal with hair loss? | |
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| Changes Cancer Brings | |
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| Your Emotions | |
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| How do I get my life back to normal? | |
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| Is it normal not to have mood swings when diagnosed, or will there be a delay in that response? | |
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| Since my diagnosis of cancer, I'm not able to concentrate. Why is this happening? Is there anything I can do about it? | |
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| Your Body | |
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| My body seems different now that I have cancer-I don't feel as attractive. What can I do to change this? | |
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| Should I tell someone taking my blood pressure that I have had a mastectomy on that side? | |
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| Does positive thinking have any power in the healing process? How do I motivate myself? | |
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| Your Family | |
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| Why is it so difficult to tell friends and loved ones about my cancer diagnosis? | |
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| What support system is available for my family? | |
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| What do I tell a young child (especially a girl) who sees my mastectomy? | |
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| The Impact of Cancer on Sexuality, Intimacy, and Fertility | |
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| How do my partner and I "deal" with my mastectomy? | |
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| How does a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment impact intimacy and sexuality? | |
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| 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? | |
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| Personal Relations | |
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| I sometimes have conflicting feelings about wanting and needing calls from my friends, but I also crave having time alone. Why? | |
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| 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? | |
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| How do I prepare my children, family, and friends for the place I'm in? | |
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| Appendix | |
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| 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. | |
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| Glossary | |
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| Index | |