When you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, it is normal to feel overwhelmed. You might remember your doctor talking but you may not remember anything they said due to shock. If this happens to you, contact your designated breast care nurse. He/She will be able to go through everything with you again.

At this point of your journey, remember to stay focused on the present situation rather than jumping too far ahead into the future.

We’ve put together a few questions you can ask your breast care nurse.

• What are the essential things I need to know now?
• What are my next steps?

These two questions are a very good starting point. Once you know and understand these, you can begin to navigate your breast cancer journey more confidently and make informed decisions about your treatment and care.

• What kind of breast cancer do I have and what are the key things I need to know about it?

The kind of breast cancer you have will ultimately define the treatment path you take.

• Do I need to have any more scans or tests? And if so, which ones and why?

There are some instances where you may need to get more scans and tests done. Not everything will need more but if you do, ask your breast care nurse about them and what they are for.

• When will I know what treatment will be given to me?

When you have been diagnosed, your oncologist and surgeons will put together a treatment plan based on your age, whether you are pre- or post-menopausal, the type of breast cancer you have, the location of the tumour, if the cells have spread to your lymph nodes, etc.

• Can I continue with any current medication that I am on?

Whether you are on certain medications for an existing condition, the pill, coil, herbal supplements, or vitamins, it’s worthwhile checking with your nurse if you can continue taking these.

• What are my fertility options?

If you are considered “young” or pre-menopausal and are still considering children, it’s very important to speak to your nurse about this as soon as possible.

• What support options are available from BCRC-WA or the hospital?

Some patients find it helpful to seek emotional support. If you are a patient at PBCI, ask your breast care nurse about support groups or speaking with one of our clinical psychologists. Depending on the type of breast cancer you have, you may also want to ask about genetic testing for yourself and your family members.

• Will you contact me for future appointments?

From a practical point of view, it’s good to know about future appointments. Make sure that your medical team have the correct contact details for you.