Main description:

A comprehensive, down-to-earth guide for anyone diagnosed with breast cancer.

Being diagnosed with breast cancer can be scary and confusing. There are medical terms to learn, options to consider, and important decisions to make, all while trying to carry on with work, family, and life. The Breast Cancer Book can't reverse a diagnosis or make breast cancer disappear, but every page can inform and empower you or your loved ones, no matter where you are in the breast cancer experience.

Written by three trusted experts-an oncologist, a breast surgeon, and a two-time breast cancer survivor-this multidisciplinary book walks you through everything you need to know about breast cancer so that you can make the best decisions about diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. In plain, easy-to-understand language that illuminates all the facets of this disease, the authors draw on their professional experience and the most current scientific knowledge to

* describe the risk factors for breast cancer;
* explain the various tests used to detect cancer;
* clarify the full range of treatment options, from surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation to newer combination therapies;
* provide insight from experts in genetics, radiation oncology, and breast reconstruction;
* present inspirational true stories of breast cancer survivors; and
* simplify complex concepts with detailed graphics, tables, illustrations, and photographs.

A crash course on breast cancer that will help get you or anyone you love through the physical and emotional challenges of the disease, The Breast Cancer Book will also help readers communicate with their cancer team. Packed with information, this compassionate guide is the most up-to-date book available.

Contents:

List of Tables
Introduction
A Message of Hope
Part One. Understanding Breast Cancer
1. What Is Cancer?
2. Breast Cancer Basics
3. Demystifying Breast Cancer Risk
4. Strategies to Reduce Your Risk of Developing Breast Cancer
5. Hereditary Breast Cancer
Part Two. Finding Breast Cancer and Dealing with a Diagnosis
6. Screening Tools and Technologies
7. Making a Diagnosis
8. After a Diagnosis: Charting a Course and Assembling Your Team
Part Three. Understanding Treatment Choices and Making Decisions
9. Local Therapy: Breast Cancer Surgery
10. Radiation Therapy
11. Rebuilding Your Breasts after Mastectomy
12. Treating Noninvasive Breast Cancer: Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
13. Reducing the Risk of Recurrence: Systemic Therapies for Invasive Breast Cancer
14. Cancer Again: Treating Local or Regional Recurrence
15. Treating Metastatic Breast Cancer
16. Considering Breast Cancer Clinical Trials
17. Treating Less Common Types of Breast Cancers and Male Breast Cancer
Part Four. Finding Answers
18. Managing Breast Cancer Treatment Side Effects
19. Complementary, Integrative, and Alternative Medicine
20. Meeting the Emotional Challenges of Breast Cancer
21. Family Matters during and after Breast Cancer
22. Insurance and Money Matters during Breast Cancer Treatment
Part Five. Moving On
23. Supportive Care and Symptom Management for Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer
24. Living Well beyond Cancer: Healthy Breast Cancer Survivorship
Resources
Glossary
Index