Breast cancer
encompasses a variety of types of cancers that change the cellular structure within the breasts. This cancer can take the form of tumors, lumps, tissue changes and minute calcium deposits that become a breeding ground for cancer cells. It's important to understand that Stage III cancer still can be successfully treated. According to Breast Cancer.org, doctor use staging to describe the characteristics of a person's cancer. Staging includes information about tumor size, lymph node involvement and whether the cancer has spread. Beating stage III breast cancer involves following your doctor's instructions for treatment to the letter to be as proactive and aggressive as possible.
Instructions
1. Grieve, get mad, cry and rage against the fate that has dealt you a heavy blow. You need to have this time to come to terms with your diagnosis and face your own mortality on your own terms.
2. Educate yourself using information obtained from your own physicians. Too many people run to the Internet to glean information without realizing that breast cancer is incredibly specific to the woman. Stage III breast cancer refers to invasive cancer that requires aggressive treatment based on finding from your biopsies. Don't presume the information you find on the Internet applies to you specifically.
3. Make a list of questions for your doctors with every visit and always take someone with you for even the simplest checkups. You're emotional and stressed so you may miss some important bit of information that might be vitally important to your well-being.
4. Drink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet filled with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. Incorporate exercise into your daily activities to improve your physical health. All of these activities will help you feel more proactive about your diagnosis and benefit your health as well.
5. Speak to your doctor about his specific treatment recommendations for your breast cancer. Take this information to at least one other physician for a second opinion. Since many women are diagnosed through biopsies conducted by their surgeon, make sure to consult with an oncologist before making any surgical or treatment decisions. If possible, speak to every doctor on your team (surgeon, oncologist, radiation specialist and plastic surgeon) to make a unified decision on the best choices for your care.
6. Visit each doctor with a complete set of information about your stage III cancer. Include mammograms, MRIs, blood work, biopsy results and any notes from your physicians. Ask your doctor to copy your file so you have up-to-the-minute information on your test results. Seek a second opinion and bring every bit of information with you to this doctor visit.
7. Have faith. Even though stage III breast cancer is considered invasive, treatment options include chemotherapy and radiation to target large tumors for reduction and subsequent removal. Traditional chemo and radiation therapies also treat cancer locally and systemically to kill errant cancer cells in the lymph system or other parts of the body.
8. Live your life, laugh and love. Find humor and joy in the everyday things that you took for granted before. If you feel overwhelmed, seek counseling and support. Most local hospitals have extensive support networks established to help newly diagnosed cancer patients cope and thrive while dealing with diagnosis and treatment. See additional resources for information on Breast Friends Support Network.
Tags: breast cancer, from your, your doctor, about your, cancer cells
