Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women. This cancer develops when there is a benign and abnormal cell growth in the breast tissues which often appear as a lump or tumor. Flattened nipples, breast lumps, changes in appearance or size of the breast, and flaking skin are some of the common symptoms associated with breast cancer. It really can be a daunting experience to get diagnosed with this cancer but consulting a breast cancer surgeon in Siliguri will help you to get the most advanced treatment.
A breast cancer surgeon is a medical professional experienced in diagnosing and treating cancer for effective recovery. You must know that breast cancer surgery to remove the cancerous tissues, lymph nodes, or the entire breast is the most common treatment that doctors recommend. There can be multiple techniques through which the surgery can be done and this is why you must be clear about the treatment plan before undergoing it.
Questions To Ask The Surgeon About Breast Cancer Surgery
1. What is the stage and type of breast cancer? What does this mean?
Before undergoing the surgery, you must attain a clear idea about your health condition. It is pivotal to ask the doctor about the stage and type of breast cancer you’re suffering from. There are various types of cancer and based on which the treatment plan will be tailored such as ductal carcinoma in situ, invasive ductal carcinoma, and lobular breast cancer.
Additionally, there are also multiple stages of the cancer which range from Stage 0 to IV. If you’re in stage 0 then the cancer is non-invasive but stage IV is extremely serious where the cancer has spread to the brain, bones, lungs, and liver.
2. Are you trained and board-certified to perform the surgery?
Another question to ask the breast cancer surgeon is whether he has board certification to perform the surgery or not. Breast cancer surgery is quite critical and may involve various lymph nodes or the entire breast.
This is why it is recommended to schedule a consultation with an experienced doctor who has multiple years of knowledge in undergoing the surgery. To ensure his experience, you can ask the doctor how many surgeries he has conducted and what their approximate success rates are.
3. Do I have to undergo partial or total removal of the breast?
It is crucial to resolve all your queries about breast cancer treatment in Siliguri. Herein, the surgeon can be the best person who can answer your questions. This is why don’t forget to ask them about the surgical procedure that will be adopted to stop the progression of the cancer.
You must know that in some cases when the cancer only has affected a small area of the breast, the doctor often performs partial breast removal or lumpectomy. On the other hand, mastectomy or total breast removal can also be done when the breast cancer is in an advanced stage.
4. How long do I have to stay in the hospital after the surgery?
Don’t forget to ask the doctor about how many days you’re required to stay in the hospital so that you can make the arrangements accordingly. Herein, the hospital stays depend upon the type of the surgery because in most cases, the patient can go home on the next day of the process.
However, if the breast surgery also included breast reconstruction procedures then you’re required to stay in the hospital for around 2-7 days. Your recovery speed and health condition will be monitored thoroughly before discharging you.
5. What can I do to speed up the post-surgical recovery process?
You must ask the question regarding the steps and lifestyle modifications you need to adopt for a speedy recovery from breast cancer surgery. The recovery process after the surgery can be both emotionally and physically challenging.
This is why it is pivotal to follow some effective tips and strategies to get back to daily life at the earliest. Some such tips that you can follow are getting proper rest, eating healthy, practicing yoga, staying positive, and never missing any follow-up appointments.
6. Can I opt for reconstruction after breast cancer surgery?
If your doctor has recommended you to undergo a mastectomy then it is crucial to discuss with him the available breast reconstruction options available for you. Implant, flap, and oncoplastic reconstruction are some of the common procedures where saline or silicone breast implants are used to restore the normal appearance of the breasts.
In some cases, breast augmentation or breast reduction techniques are also performed after the reconstruction to match the shape of both breasts. You must be clear about all of these options to make an informed decision.
7. Will I need other cancer treatments after undergoing the surgical removal?
Ask the breast cancer surgeon in Siliguri after the post-surgical period after the breast cancer removal. This is an important stage of your life because depending upon the stage of the cancer it is possible for the doctor to recommend further treatment even after the surgery. Some such treatments can be chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation.
Being clear about all of these treatment procedures before undergoing the surgery will help you stay mentally prepared. Additionally, if the doctor adopts a systemic treatment approach then it may also include targeted drug or hormone therapy.
8. What possible side effects can I experience after the surgery?
There can be various side effects of short-term complications that you may experience after breast cancer surgery. This is why you must ask the doctor regarding what you may expect after the surgery.
Some of the common side effects that you may experience are cording, fatigue, numbness or tingling sensation, shoulder stiffness, lymphedema, and seroma. If these complications don’t resolve within a few days then it is vital to contact the healthcare team immediately.
9. Do I have to schedule post-surgical follow-up appointments?
You must note that there can be some chances of cancer recurrence even after undergoing a successful breast cancer surgery. This is why you should ask the doctor about how frequently you must visit follow-up appointments. During the routine follow-up visits, the doctor will perform mammograms, bone density tests, and other examinations to check your progress.
Don’t forget that early detection of any cancer relapse can be treated effectively and save you from long-term health complications. Follow-up care is highly crucial to ensure physical and mental stability to eliminate the uncertainty and stress associated with cancer recurrence.
10. Will my breasts feel and look different after the surgery?
To undergo the surgery with a clear mind and no confusion, you must ask the doctor whether the breasts will look and feel normal or not. It is quite normal to experience swollen and bruised breasts after the surgery but it will improve over time.
If you have undergone a lumpectomy then you won’t notice any physical or visual changes to the breasts. However, in the case of mastectomy without any breast reconstruction, you may be weird as the entire breasts will be removed. In such instances, you can consider undergoing a reconstruction surgery or wearing a prosthesis.
It’s important to talk frankly with the breast cancer surgeon in Siliguri for an open discussion about the surgical treatment. You can also consider preparing and noting the questions you want to ask the doctor so that you don’t miss anything during the consultation.
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