Meeting with your doctor to discuss your breast cancer diagnosis can be stressful, but understanding the terms they use and knowing what questions to ask can make it easier. Here are a few things you need to understand before making your appointment.
Commonly used terms for cancer
Metastasis What happens when cancer spreads from its primary site to other areas of the body. It doesn’t happen to everyone with breast cancer, but when it does, it usually affects the bones, brain, liver, and/or lungs.
Biopsy Removal of tissue or cells that can reveal cancer under a microscope.
BRCA 1 and 2 genes Genes that sometimes show a defect associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. About 1 in 500 women have a mutation in the BRCA genes. About 1 in 500 women carry a BRCA mutation, and those with this mutation can have up to a 70% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.
Breast density A measure of the amount of fatty tissue in the breast in relation to glandular and fibrous tissue. It can be more difficult to detect tumors in dense breasts.
CA 125 A blood test that measures the levels of cancer antigen 125 in the body. It can be used to monitor breast and ovarian cancer and detect its recurrence.
CA 15-3 A similar test used to monitor and treat breast cancer. Hormone therapy Medicine that adjusts the level of hormones in the body. It is often used to treat patients with reproductive cancers.
Lymphedema Swelling and fluid retention (usually in the limbs) that can develop when lymph nodes are damaged by surgery, cancer, or cancer treatment.
Mastectomy Surgery to remove part or all of the breast. Reconstruction may follow, which reshapes or recreates the breast tissue.
Mammography A special type of X-ray examination that looks for signs of breast cancer.
Health statistics
1 in 8: Chances that a woman born today will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. — National Cancer Institute
Photo of MRI for breast cancer screening.
Getty
Questions to ask
Use them to guide your conversation with your doctor.
About breast cancer symptoms:
What are the most common symptoms?
Can breast cancer be asymptomatic?
When should I go to the emergency room or call your office?
About causes and risk factors:
What can cause breast cancer?
Do I have the gene for breast cancer? Should I go for surgery if I have one?
Can I pass the gene on to my children?
Should other family members be tested?
At diagnosis:
What cancer tests do I need?
Are there different types of breast cancer?
What type of breast cancer do I have?
How is breast cancer evaluated?
What is the stage of my cancer?
Can the rating change over time?
During treatment:
What are the side effects of my medications?
Will I need surgery?
Can my cancer come back after remission?
Do I need additional tests or examinations?
Medical examination
Medically reviewed by Sohaib Imtiaz, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Verywell Health
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education