Time to switch from forgetful doctor?
My oncologist never calls me with test results - I have to call. He also forgets what chemo I've already had. But he behaved better in the beginning of my illness. Does it mean that he already "gave up" on me? Should I just find another ... [... more]
Breast Cancer |
What to do about extreme emotions?
I notice you say that fear and anxiety, sadness and anger are normal. What about the individual who experiences these emotions to an extreme degree and requires more than a support group? There certainly are individuals who do have difficulty ... [... more]
Breast Cancer |
Advice to encourage friend?
Hi, my friend was just diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time. I am looking to give her encouragement. What can I tell her to make her feel better? I think that the most important thing, I would say, is to spend time with her, and to ... [... more]
Breast Cancer |
Tips to encourage mom to get mammogram?
Is there anything I can do to encourage my mother to have a mammogram? She is dead set against it, but I know she should have one. She is 55 now and going through menopause. Take her out to lunch, and go with her to her mammogram. Tell her that ... [... more]
Breast Cancer |
Tips for brother concerned about sister?
My sister was just diagnosed with breast cancer this week. She is nervous, worried, and upset about dealing with the future (treatment, etc). As her brother, I am not sure what I should do or say to make her feel more secure and optimistic. What ... [... more]
Breast Cancer |
Do silicone implants obscure mammograms?
Do silicone implants used in reconstruction surgery obscure radiographic exploration for recurrence? X-rays cannot penetrate silicone, so silicone implants do limit our ability to see. This is also true for women who have not had cancer but who ... [... more]
Breast Cancer |
Able to adopt while being treated for cancer?
Will adoption agencies let you adopt if you are actively being treated for cancer? That's a good question. There is almost no information out there about what adoption agencies will actually do. Most of them appear to want a letter from your ... [... more]
Breast Cancer |
Controversy in tumor marker numbers?
I hear a lot of disagreement about tumor marker numbers. Can you talk a little about this-is it something to be afraid of when I have blood work? Getting tumor markers in follow-ups is controversial. Most doctors do not recommend getting these ... [... more]
Breast Cancer |
Herbs, acupunture help ovary damage?
If there is ovarian damage due to chemotherapy (indicated by elevated FSH levels), is it possible for the ovary to recover through the use of Chinese herbs and acupuncture? We really have no Western medicine clinical trials to evaluate that. Our ... [... more]
Breast Cancer |
Herceptin causes ovarian damage, menopause?
No. It's a very selective drug, and there's no evidence that it causes damage to eggs. Your question raises a good point, which is when any new chemotherapy or other form of therapy is put into use, it's very important for studies to look at the ... [... more]
Breast Cancer |
What does DCIS mean?
Ductal carcinoma in situ or DCIS is the most common kind of non-invasive breast cancer Ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS, is the most common kind of non-invasive breast cancer. The number of cases worldwide isn't known, because most international ... [... more]
Breast Cancer |
Dietary recommendations for ER/PR-negatives?
Are there any special dietary recommendations for someone with this type of cancer to follow, with particular attention to the use of soy and any other nutritional supplements? You ask an important question, and one that we have new information ... [... more]
Breast Cancer |
