Recently diagnosed

Ask questions – asking questions will help you understand what treatments are recommended for you. Before you go to an appointment, write a list of questions you want to ask, putting your most important ones at the top in case you don’t get time to ask them all. 

Find a medical team that will work for you and with you – You have an important association with your medical specialists so find a treating team you can trust and who make you feel cared for. Ask for second opinions if you think you need them. Ask how you can see a breast care nurse for support if you are not introduced to one.  

Understand the out-of-pocket costs involved – Your treatment will extend over a period of time so costs can add up, especially if you’re being treated in the private health system. It’s important to know up front what the out-of-pocket costs of your tests and treatment are likely to be. Talk to your doctor/s and, if you have one, your private health insurer, before you make a final decision about your treatment. You can ask for a second opinion on costs if you need to. 

Take your time – Most decisions about your treatment don’t need to be made in a great hurry so don’t allow yourself to be rushed. Taking time to ask questions if there are things you don’t understand or talking over the decisions you need to make with your family won’t affect the outcome of your treatment. It can, however, make a big difference to how prepared and in control you feel. 

Keep records – If you can, take a trusted family member or friend to your doctors’ appointments to help record and keep track of the information you receive. Take notes, or ask your family member/friend to, so you can refer to the information later.

Keeping a record of your bills and any Medicare or private health fund rebates you receive will help you stay on top of your expenses. Store your medical or financial records in one secure place. 

Find trustworthy information – BCNA recommends the following websites as reliable and safe places to find information about breast cancer: 

• Breast Cancer Network Australia (bcna.org.au) – the peak national consumer organisation for Australians personally affected by breast cancer. 
• Cancer Australia (canceraustralia.gov.au) – Australia’s national cancer control agency. It works to reduce the impact of cancer and improve the wellbeing of those diagnosed by ensuring that evidence informs cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and supportive care. 
• Cancer Council Australia (cancer.org.au) – organisation that provides advice to the Australian Government about the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer. It also provides information for those affected by cancer.

For further information read BCNA’s factsheet Getting the most from the web: A guide to breast cancer information from the internet.

The treatment offered to you by your specialist will be determined by many factors. This includes your general health, the subtype of breast cancer you have and if you have had any previous treatments. Clinical trials are a way of accessing new treatments that have not yet been accepted as standard treatments. Each trial has very specific criteria to participate. Speak to your specialist about whether there is a current clinical trial that may be of benefit to you.