LIGHTING THE PATH TO TREATING BREAST CANCER

Click here to download a PDF Version

October 2005...One in eight women will hear her doctor pronounce the unforgettable words: breast cancer. Once upon a time, those words were not only frightening, they were taboo. Not anymore thanks to two Bettys and a Nancy.

Considered courageously outspoken in 1974, First Lady Betty Ford put breast cancer in the headlines by announcing her own diagnosis at a White House press conference. Betty Rollins further demystified the issue by writing her groundbreaking 1976 book, First You Cry, detailing her personal journey through breast cancer treatment and concerns of disfigurement. Nancy Brinker, a prominent Dallas socialite, took a serious leap in expanding breast cancer education by forming the Susan B. Komen Foundation in 1982 to honor her sister who died from the disease.

No longer shrouded, the topic of breast cancer now has the entire month of October devoted to highlighting survivors, prevention, proactive diagnosis and treatment. Image-conscious cosmetics and jewelry companies proudly align their products with the disease, once considered something not to be discussed. The two Bettys and one Nancy illuminated the path for all women making crucial health choices. And now, breast cancer treatment choices are more varied and individually-oriented than ever before, according to the professional advocates at PinnacleCare, the prestigious healthcare advocacy firm dedicated to quality in healthcare.

As the healthcare system has become increasingly complex and focused on cost-containment, professional healthcare advocacy has arisen to highlight patients' needs and choices. In the case of breast cancer, patients must weigh the relative merits of lumpectomy, mastectomy, preventative double mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, subsequent drug therapy and the best combination of these.

The key decision factors for breast cancer are: your type of breast cancer, stage, grade, margins; your estrogen and progesterone hormone receptors (positive or negative), whether you are pre or post menopausal and whether your HER-2 gene (the genetic material that regulates cell growth) is positive or negative.

Pulling all the information together is a tough job without the aid of a professional healthcare advocate. The time and emotional toll are immense. However, many people must or prefer to do it on their own. So how can an individual crystallize the best possible treatment for her personal circumstances? PinnacleCare offers ten key pathstones to the right breast cancer treatment for you.

Ten Pathstones to the Right Breast Cancer Treatment for You

1. Provide medical history. Your past medical history contains clues that your physician must weigh to accurately present your best options. As your tests progress, add to your personal file your pathology slides, pathology reports, mammogram, MRI and ultrasound films.
2. Trust a few reputable sources. Educate yourself, but limit the time you spend on the internet. Resist the confusion of blogs and promotional sites. For breast cancer, the Susan B. Komen Foundation web site is excellent for information on the disease. To learn about healthcare advocacy, visit www.PinnacleCare.com to access the Guide to Getting the Best Healthcare ($9.95).
3. Seek a second, and even, a third opinion. Certainly, start with your internist's recommended oncologists but take it a step further. Give special consideration to physicians who are part of an "integrative breast cancer center" which incorporates a multidisciplinary team of medical, radiation and surgical oncologists. Also be aware that physicians who are involved in clinical trials and research are often the most up-to-date on cutting edge medical science.
4. Consider complementary, alternative care. In conjunction with conventional treatment, these practices can substantially aid recovery. For example, acupuncture can assist with chemotherapy side effects. Contact a reputable cancer nutritionist who can work with your conventional doctor. ALWAYS consult with your physician prior to using any alternative products as some may have a negative effect or counteract your other medical treatment.
5. Pursue the earliest appointments. Be a polite squeaky wheel. Persist to get the earliest possible appointments. Ask to be put on a waiting list for an earlier appointment, get help from any contacts you may have, and call frequently to see if an opening has occurred.
6. Confirm and confirm again. Confirm your appointments in writing, and confirm again by phone the week before the appointment. If a misunderstanding occurs, the best specialists seldom have wiggle room to squeeze you in, even if it is the mistake of their own office staff.
7. Prepare for the appointment. Bring a notebook, an extra copy of your medical records and an advocate. If a service like PinnacleCare is not an option, choose a friend not on the basis of closeness but whose judgment you respect.
8. Recap your discussion in writing. Recap your notes, in writing, and send them to your advocate for review and then to each physician. At the time of the appointment, your doctor may speak in medical shorthand you misunderstand. It is crucial to understand what you have heard and to ensure that your priorities and concerns are equally understood.
9. Decide and conquer. Review each recommendation with your closest family member and your chosen advocate. Consider asking these "allies" to communicate your decision and convey your progress with interested family members. After all, your job is focusing on getting well.
10. Proceed with confidence. Once treatment has begun, it is common for breast cancer patients to second-guess their decisions. If you have conducted due diligence, as explained above, to select your doctor, discuss treatment options, learn expected progress points and anticipate potential adjustments during the course of treatment, then put your mind at rest. Stick with your team, follow your plan and speak up as concerns arise.

For more information on healthcare advocacy, consult www.PinnacleCare.com to learn about PinnacleCare Membership, recommended literature, or how to obtain the Guide to Getting the Best Healthcare.

PinnacleCare, a comprehensive healthcare advocacy organization, is dedicated to families and executives, connecting individuals to the finest, most advanced healthcare in the world, advising them on all personal healthcare issues, and managing their interactions with the medical system. PinnacleCare Members choose PinnacleCare to manage the process, so that families can focus on supporting one another in getting, staying and living well.