Understanding Breast Cancer

Learning that you have breast cancer is a shocking experience. Not only are people fearful of their future, they are also faced with difficult choices about treatment and worries about its impact on themselves, their family and friends. "Understanding Breast Cancer" includes essential information and practical advice on coping with every aspect of breast cancer, including: The treatment options available. Coming to terms with the psychological impact. Breast reconstruction and prostheses. Complementary therapies and diet. Breast cancer, pregnancy and fertility. Joy Ogden is a health journalist who uses her own encounter with breast cancer to answer the questions of others in a similar situation. She talks to many such women, and men, about their experiences of diagnosis and treatment, and includes their stories here.

About the author vii
Acknowledgements ix
1 Introduction 1
2 What is breast cancer? 3
3 Who gets it? What are the risk factors? 9
4 Symptoms and diagnosis 19
5 Psychological impact - coming to terms with breast cancer 29
6 The role of family, friends and health professionals 41
7 What are the treatment options? 49
8 Surgery 59
9 Breast reconstruction or prosthesis? 71
10 Radiotherapy 77
11 Chemotherapy 85
12 Hormonal therapies and immunotherapy 97
13 Breast cancer, pregnancy and fertility 103
14 How does it feel to live with breast cancer? 109
15 Complementary therapies, holistic practice and diet 115
16 Frequently asked questions 125
Glossary 129
Useful addresses and contacts 133
References 139
Index 141