BREAST CANCER SUPPORTING: BAD NEWS
Remember that you may find it hard to like someone who is giving you so much bad news. Many women initially dislike their doctors, yet end up liking them enormously. Unless you have a really bad experience with someone, you probably should give him/her a second chance.
All of this sounds harder than it really is. You have already heard the worst news, the fact that you have breast cancer, and you heard those words from a physician. If you do only what your first doctor suggests, the chances are good that you will be referred to specialists who are respected in your community. However, since breast cancer is a potentially life-threatening illness, and since you want to do everything possible to ensure the very best care for yourself, it is wise to select your medical team thoughtfully and carefully. If you don’t know where to go, ask others. The breast cancer network is far-reaching, and you will quickly find that you have resources you were previously unaware of. You probably already know some women who have had breast cancer; talk with them and they will refer you to others. Ask these women about their doctors and about their level of satisfaction with their care. Would they make the same decisions if they were starting out now? You can call one of the breast cancer organizations listed in the resources section of this book. They will probably not be able to suggest individual physicians, but they can give you a list of cancer centers and accredited oncologists in your community.
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