Getting Support

Every woman fears breast cancer, but when confronting the possibility that it could happen to you, that anxiety becomes very real and immediate.  You can't change what has already happened to your body, but you can help yourself now in some important ways:

Ask Questions.  Don't wait until you are sitting in the doctor's office to think about what you want to ask and need to know – write your questions in advance.  For help on what to ask, see Questions to Ask Your Doctor.

Take someone with you.  Bring a friend or family member to your doctor's appointment to serve as another pair of ears.

Take notes.  Bring a pad of paper to write down what your doctors and nurses say or tape record (with permission) the appointment.

Communicate with your doctor and your entire treatment team.

Get information, which exists in abundance.  Use only proven, reliable sources. 

Finally, don't try to absorb everything about breast cancer at once.  Stay focused on your situation and what is happening now – not what might happen in the future – and let your friends and family help you.  Call Y-ME to talk to a trained peer counselor who is a breast cancer survivor – someone who has "been there."

You can reach the Y-ME Hotline 24/7 at 1-800-221-2141.