Early Breast Cancer TreatmentCommunicating with your breast cancer treatment team

It's important to recognize that the doctor who coordinates your care may be assisted by many other professionals who can help meet your needs for information, practical advice, supportive care, and reassurance.

On this Page

Get to know your treatment team

Your treatment team is made up of a number of health care professionals.

  • Doctors: may include your family physician or primary care doctor, medical oncologist, pathologist, general or plastic surgeon, or radiation oncologist
  • Nurses and other experts: may include your oncology nurse, oncology social worker, nutritionist, psychologist, or pharmacist
back to top

Steps for enhancing communication

It can take time to develop confidence and trust in your breast cancer treatment team. Here are some tips for getting the relationship off to a good start and overcoming possible obstacles to effective communication.

  • Before visiting your doctor, make some notes about your symptoms and when you first noticed them and write a list of questions. Report any changes in your health since your last visit. Keep track of dates and results of procedures, lab tests, medications, and doctor's visits in a journal or notebook you can carry to every appointment
    Print out a "Breast Cancer Details" worksheet
  • Get familiar with your pathology report: understand the analysis of your biopsy, including the grade and stage of the tumor, whether or not the tumor margins are clear, and your lymph node and hormone receptor status
    See a sample pathology report
  • Bring a second pair of ears: take a friend or relative with you to doctor's appointments. If you don't understand something, ask the doctor or nurse to explain it again
  • Don't be afraid to express your feelings: if you're feeling upset or angry about your care, try to figure out exactly what is bothering you. Write down your concerns so that when you speak with your treatment team, you can explain your concerns to them clearly
back to top

Know your rights and responsibilities

As a "partner" in your own care, you have a right to know as much as you want to know about your medical condition. However, it is your responsibility to tell your breast cancer treatment team how much you want to know and to keep them updated on how you're feeling. Here are some things you can do to exercise your rights and responsibilities.

  • Get all your questions answered. Seek a second opinion if necessary
  • Have medical information explained in language you can understand
  • Take the time you need to sort out your breast cancer treatment options
  • Keep your breast cancer treatment team informed of changes in your medical condition, and let team members know how you are coping with the effects of treatment
  • Make your breast cancer treatment team aware of any complementary or alternative therapies you are considering
back to top

To view the download, you need Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® installed. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer, you can download it from the Adobe Web site.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.

Important Information About ARIMIDEX

ARIMIDEX is approved for adjuvant treatment (treatment following surgery with or without radiation) of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer.

ARIMIDEX is approved for the initial treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive or hormone receptor-unknown locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer and for the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer that has progressed following treatment with tamoxifen. Patients with hormone receptor-negative disease and patients who did not previously respond to tamoxifen therapy rarely responded to ARIMIDEX.

Important Safety Information About ARIMIDEX

  • Prescription ARIMIDEX is only for postmenopausal women. ARIMIDEX should not be taken if you are pregnant because it may harm your unborn child
  • Based on information from a study in patients with early breast cancer, women with a history of blockages in heart arteries (ischemic heart disease) who take ARIMIDEX may have a slight increase in this type of heart disease compared to similar patients who take tamoxifen
  • ARIMIDEX can cause bone softening/weakening (osteoporosis) increasing the chance of fractures. In a clinical study in early breast cancer, there were more fractures (including fractures of the spine, hip, and wrist) with ARIMIDEX (10%) than with tamoxifen (7%)
  • In a clinical study in early breast cancer, some patients taking ARIMIDEX had an increase in cholesterol. Skin reactions, allergic reactions, and changes in blood tests of liver function have also been reported
  • In the early breast cancer clinical trial, the most common side effects seen with ARIMIDEX include hot flashes, joint symptoms (including arthritis and arthralgia), weakness, mood changes, pain, back pain, sore throat, nausea and vomiting, rash, depression, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, fractures, swelling of arms/legs, insomnia, and headache
  • In advanced breast cancer trials, the most common side effects seen with ARIMIDEX versus tamoxifen include hot flashes, nausea, decreased energy and weakness, pain, back pain, headache, bone pain, increased cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and swelling of arms and legs. Joint pain/stiffness has been reported in association with the use of ARIMIDEX
  • ARIMIDEX should not be taken with tamoxifen or estrogen-containing therapies

Please click here for full Prescribing Information.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).