From the American Cancer Society Update, Vol. A diagnosis of breast cancer sends women on many different paths. For some, gathering information is the key to coping with their disease. Others rely on their physicians to guide them, while still others turn to those who have been through this ordeal in order to gain strength to deal with their diagnosis. Since every woman's cancer is different, as is each woman, this is intended as a guide to help women through this difficult time.
Breast cancer does respond to treatment.
A determined and optimistic approach is most productive. Many breast cancer experts recommend that a patient identify someone to act as her helpmate and bring that person along when the doctor explains treatment options. Present partly to comfort and support, this helpmate also serves as a reference later since he or she is likely to remember more of the conversation than the patient. Or, bring a tape recorder to appointments to review at a later time. It is important to remember that by the time a breast tumor can be seen on a mammogram or felt manually, it has probably been growing for some time.