When I was first diagnosed with cancer in May of 1999, my very first question to the doctor was "Am I going to die?" Intellectually, I knew that the doctor could not answer that question because at that point the doctor did not know too much more about my own diagnosis then I did, which was: I had breast cancer. Emotionally I wanted to hear "No, this will not kill you". However, that was not the answer I received. Instead, the doctor gave me the names and telephone numbers of doctors who were experts in the area of breast cancer. 
 

"I don't want to reach immortality through my work; I want to reach immortality through not dying." -WOODY ALLEN

That warm, bright and sunny May morning, I left the doctor's office with a brand new title to add to my resume of life "Newly Diagnosed". I could hardly believe it. Parts of me wanted to completely lose it, completely break down, cry, wail, and throw things. Yet, a voice deep down inside said "This is no time to freak out. Work the problem." And for the first three weeks as I worked with my doctors to understand my diagnosis, I worked the problem. 

The following information is for the woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. It is an aid and a starting point to help you and your family cope with the news, learn about the disease and your treatment options, and to prepare you for what to expect as you move forward toward recovery. This knowledge will help you gain control over your breast cancer diagnosis and the treatment process. 
 

First things first

1..Contact your primary care physician (PCP)
Contact your primary care physician (PCP) or your gynecologist -- Your PCP or gynecologist will be able to help you accomplish a number of key actions: 

• Provide the names and numbers of doctors who specialize in treating breast cancer. 
• Provide a referral (check with your insurance company if you need a referral)

2..Make an appointment with a breast cancer specialist
Make an appointment with a breast cancer specialist -- Generally, the first specialist you will see will be a breast surgeon. You should be able to schedule an appointment with a doctor within several days of your diagnosis. If you are unable to get an appointment within several days of your diagnosis, ask your PCP to call on your behalf or ask the receptionist to call you if there is a cancellation. 

Local Pittsburgh telephone numbers

• Magee-Womens Hospital Resource and Referral Service (412) 647.4747
• University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Information and Referral Service  (800) 237.4724

• The American Cancer Society (800) 227.2345
• The National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service (800) 422.6237

3..Diagnostic Tests
Cancer is a systems disease. That is, it may have spread to other places within your body. Because it can travel to distance sites, your doctor will want you to undergo several diagnostic tests. These tests will help doctors to determine the stage  of your cancer and how best to treat your cancer. Here are a list and a description of some of the more common diagnostic tests  that you may have.

This may take a couple of weeks. Try to keep your frustration at what may seem to you a slow pace to a low level doing this period. You definitely want to have all the information about the extent of the spread of your cancer before treatment begins (I realize, that this is not a comforting thought, but it will save you a lot of grief in the future). 
 

4..Know and understand your diagnosis
It is important that you understand the basics of your diagnosis: the location, symptoms (if any), tests taken, and the pathology results. This information will help you together with your doctor make important treatment decisions. To help you keep track of your diagnosis and recommended treatments, please download [add link] the following documents and bring them with you.

• My Breast Cancer Treatment Record

5..Questions you should ask your doctor
Questions you should ask your doctor -- While this is a very difficult time, it is very important that you or a family member get as much information as you need. Information gathering includes asking questions of your doctor. We've prepared a set of important questions [link to questions] for you to ask your doctors. Last, give yourself complete freedom to ask any question you may have.
 

6..Read information that is only going to help you
Often, at the very beginning, there is a strong tendency to want to read every thing there is about breast cancer. For some, this is a good idea. For most, especially in these very early days, it just contributes to more anxiety. A good strategy is to read only those things that are going to contribute to your understanding of your particular diagnosis, help you to make informed decisions, and help you to feel comfortable with those decisions. As a good friend, who is also a survivor often said to me during those early days and throughout treatment "Don't go to your over-whelmed place." 

These web sites are an excellent resource for explaining the medical side of breast cancer. 

• CancerNet http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov/index.html
• CancerTrials http://cancertrials.nci.nih.gov/
• National Cancer Institute  http://www.cancer.gov/
• OncoLink http://cancer.med.upenn.edu/disease/breast/
• Susan G. Koman  http://www.komen.org/
• University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute   http://www.upci.upmc.edu

7..How to deal with the news
This is a time when you need to give yourself permission to seek the help and support you need. While family and friends will often provide a lot of support, you may find it necessary to talk to other survivors or seek counseling or talk to someone about how to break the news to your family and friends.
 

Breast Cancer Volunteer (Magee-Womens)	412.641.1178
Breast Cancer Support Group (Magee-Womens)	412.641.1178
Burger King Cancer Caring Center (Pittsburgh)	412.622.1212
The National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations	1.888.806.2226
Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization	1.800.221.2141

It is a great comfort to talk with others who have walked through the fire before you. They will be able to provide advice, perspective, empathy and most importantly, evidence that there is life -- a good life after cancer.Ê 
 

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