Engaging Your Doctor

It is important to ask your doctor about using breast cancer recurrence diagnostic testing to determine your likelihood of recurrence during the initial stages of diagnosis. The decision to request a recurrence diagnostic test must be made prior to surgery or treatment, allowing for the coordination of tissue sampling and submission for the test.

These tests are fairly new, having been first developed in 2002. Your doctor may not be aware that these tests can be done, or may not choose to have the test as part of the normal protocol of diagnosis for patients. Having a discussion with your doctor about breast cancer recurrence diagnostic testing in the beginning will give you better insight into your risks for reccurrence and what therapeutic decisions are needed to determine the best care for your situation.

Based on the results of your breast cancer recurrence diagnostic test, your doctor will establish the best course of treatment. After you receive the results of your tests, work with your doctor to determine the best course of treatment for you.

• Ask your doctor about the possible benefits and side effects of each treatment.
• Ask your doctor to repeat things or write things down for you, so you can keep all of the information being presented in order.
• Treatment doesn’t have to begin immediately. Taking a week or two to discuss your options with family and friends in order to choose which treatment is right for you will not affect the treatment outcome.
• If you are not sure about your diagnosis or treatment options, seek a second opinion from another doctor.
• You may decide to forgo certain treatment after weighing the benefits versus the side effects. Discuss your decision with your healthcare team and those close to you.

To go back to Breast Cancer Basics, click here.

To learn more about MammaPrint, click here.