| Questions to assess breast cancer recurrence risk | | | | other breast get cancer in the future? |
| are an important part of understanding your | | | | What is the hormone receptor status of the cancer |
| prognosis after your surgery and treatment program | | | | and how does that change my prognosis? |
| are concluded. While most women and men are | | | | What is the tumor HER2/neu (human epidural growth |
| successfully treated for breast cancer, it's a fact of | | | | factor receptor-2, a gene that controls cell growth) |
| life that up to 10% of breast cancer patients will | | | | status, and how does that affect my risk of breast |
| have a recurrence of breast cancer in their lifetimes. | | | | cancer recurrence? |
| Here are some questions to assess breast cancer | | | | How far is the lymph node involvement? |
| recurrence risk that you can discuss with your | | | | Is there any metastasis to other areas of my body? |
| medical doctor to learn more about your particular | | | | Questions about what you can do to help yourself: |
| situation. | | | | What healthy habits should I practice to reduce the |
| Questions about about your health history: | | | | risk of breast cancer recurrence? |
| Does my ethnic or racial ancestry influence breast | | | | Remember, there is always something you can do to |
| cancer recurrence? | | | | help make your life and health better. Here are some |
| Do I have genetic tendencies (genes like BRCA1, | | | | health habits you should know. |
| BRCA2, and others) that put me at greater risk for | | | | Early detection is your greatest tool. Always observe |
| more breast cancer? | | | | your body, do monthly self-examinations, see your |
| If I have relatives (especially close relatives like my | | | | doctor for examinations, and choose recommended |
| mother and sister) with breast cancer, does that | | | | mammograms for greatest protection. |
| change my prognosis? | | | | Research on healthy habits and breast cancer shows |
| Would my mother's exposure to chemicals like DES | | | | that restricting alcohol to one drink a day and weight |
| change my prognosis? | | | | control, especially managing "belly fat," are healthy |
| How does my age change my risk of breast cancer | | | | habits that may reduce breast cancer risk. There are |
| recurrence? | | | | also several studies showing that daily exercise, |
| Does my reproductive and menstrual history affect | | | | eating 5 fruits or vegetables daily, and 5 cups of |
| my prognosis? | | | | green tea daily can reduce breast cancer recurrence |
| Questions about your particular cancer: | | | | risk by 50%. |
| How does the tumor size and grade affect my | | | | And get involved with your body and your future by |
| breast cancer recurrence rate prognosis? | | | | asking these questions to assess breast cancer |
| If my breast cancer is only in one breast, will the | | | | recurrence risk. |