Download Nurse Navigation Map - Alberta Health Services

READING SUGGESTIONS
ALBERTA BREAST CANCER EDUCATION PACKAGE
With the support of:
The reading suggestions listed
1. Breast Cancer-Understanding Your Diagnosis.
Canadian Cancer Society. www.cancer.ca
Canadian Cancer Society
Alberta and Northwest Territories Division
here are a part of the Alberta
Breast Cancer Education Package
which is available through your
local Breast Program.
These resources are recommended
by those affected by breast cancer
and educators and is not an all
inclusive list.
2. Coping with Financial Concerns When You Have Cancer.
Willow. www.willow.org
3. Eating Well When You Have Cancer – A Guide to Good Nutrition.
Canadian Cancer Society. www.cancer.ca
4. Managing Your Cancer Care. A Self-Advocacy Guide for Patients.
Willow. www.willow.org
5. Questions to Ask About Breast Cancer. A Workbook for Women.
Canadian Cancer Society. www.cancer.ca
6. Understanding Treatment for Breast Cancer-A Guide For Women.
Canadian Cancer Society. www.cancer.ca
Start Here
Breast Cancer Navigation Map
Alberta and Northwest Territories
Division Office
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization of
200, 325 Manning Road NE
Calgary AB T2E 2P5
of the quality of life of people living with cancer. The Society’s vision is a
world where no Canadian fears cancer. The Society achieves this mission
This map has been created to help with each step along the way. We suggest reading
Phone
by funding research on all types of cancer, providing the public with
the whole map first to have an overview of what to expect and when decisions will need
Toll Free 1-800-661-2262
comprehensive information about cancer and risk reduction, advocating for
to be made. Early decisions can affect future options, so being well informed is very
Fax
(403) 205-3979
healthy public policy, as well as offering supportive care services to cancer
important. Included in the map are suggestions on how to make necessary decisions as
E-mail
[email protected]
patients, family members and friends. Volunteers and staff support these
they’re needed. Supplemental readings have been included for those who wish to have
Web
cancer.ca
efforts with funds raised in communities across Canada.
more information about each point along this journey.
(403) 205-3966
volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement
www.albertahealthservices.ca
information to absorb and understand and you will have important decisions to make.
Remember, just as there are no two people with exactly the same circumstances in life,
there are no two people who experience the same journey through breast cancer. Your
7. Sharing Strength Journal.
AstraZeneca Canada. www.sharingstrength.ca
SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES
A breast cancer diagnosis can, for some, seem overwhelming. There will be lots of new
treatment plan will be as individual as you are.
INFORMATION &
SUPPORT SERVICES
The Canadian Cancer Society’s Cancer Information Service
(1-888-939-3333) is a good place to obtain credible, comprehensive
information about breast cancer. They can also refer you to support services
www.albertabreast.com
Produced by
in your community and throughout Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
www.beasurvivor.com
www.breastcancer.org
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
individuals and organizations that support various breast cancer initiatives.
www.cancer.ca
Specifically we would like to thank the many breast cancer survivors and the
www.cbcn.ca
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, BC/Yukon Region for sharing this
www.informalberta.ca
valuable resource with us. The Access to Services Wait Times Initiative
Project Teams collaborated to make this happen from the Comprehensive
Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book: 4th Edition
by Susan M. Love, MD, MBA, with Karen Lindsey
www.dslrf.org
Breast Care Program-Edmonton, the Clinical Breast Health Program-Red
Deer, the Breast Health Program-Calgary, and also the Breast Health
Program-Lethbridge and the Breast Health Program, Covenant
Be a Survivor (3rd Edition)
by Vladimir Lange, MD
www.beasurvivor.com
The Intelligent Patient Guide to Breast Cancer (4th Edition)
by Ivo Olivotto, MD, FRCPC, Karen Gelmon, MD, David McCready, MD,
Kathleen Pritchard, MD, Urve Kuusk, MD
www.ipguide.com
This map has been made possible through the efforts of numerous
Health-Edmonton. Also, thank you to the professionals across the province of
Alberta for their assistance with the content of this piece.
Designed and produced by Myron Advertising + Design
BREAST PROGRAM
CONTACTS
Edmonton area 780-638-2227
Red Deer area 403-314-6056
What you need to know about Breast Cancer: Diagnosis,
Treatment and Beyond (6th Edition)
by Pat Kelly, MA, with Mark Levine, MD, MSc, FRCP(C)
Calgary area 403-944-2240
Breast Cancer Husband, How to Help Your Wife (and Yourself)
through Diagnosis, Treatment, and Beyond
by Marc Silver
www.breastcancerhusband.com
and health information service. Toll-free 1-866-408-5465.
Lethbridge area 403-388-6324
Health Link Alberta is a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week nurse telephone advice
INVENTORY #211935
Modified by
With the support of
ILLUSTRATION: HILARY MOSES
additional treatment therapies begin about 4–12 weeks after surgery
F RO M D I AG N OS I S TO S U RG E RY
I N T H E H O S P I TA L
S U RG E RY I N C I S I O N H E A L E D
approximately 2–4 weeks
1 day or 1–2 nights
within a few weeks
“The breast cancer journey involves a multitude of caregivers, from general practitioners,
physiotherapists and nurses to surgeons and cancer specialists. All were magnificent in my
experience. However, due to the number of health care professionals involved and the
complexity of treatment options, I sometimes found myself at a loss, not knowing what came next
or what decisions I had to make. Having been through the process, I know this map will be
an invaluable resource to you, and it will make your journey with breast cancer a little bit easier.”
– Judy N., 9 years since diagnosis
The first step in treating your breast cancer is an appointment with
your surgeon to plan your surgery.
PLANNING YOUR SURGERY
The first step in breast cancer treatment is usually surgery (some
may require chemotherapy first). A general surgeon will perform the
surgery. The types of surgery will be discussed with the surgeon.
P AT H O L O G Y R E P O R T
CHEMOTHERAPY
R A D I AT I O N T H E R A P Y
H O R M O N A L T R E AT M E N T
FIRST FOLLOW-UP VISIT
FOLLOW-UP VISITS
FOLLOW-UP MAMMOGRAMS
approximately 2 weeks
after surgery
3–6 month duration
3 1 /2 –6 week duration
5+ year duration
6–12 weeks after treatment
with cancer centre or family physician
every 6 months for 5 years, then annually
annually
Cancer tissue from your
surgery is examined under a
microscope and a summary
called your PATHOLOGY
REPORT is written. Your
surgeon will review your
report with you.
The results of your report
help plan the rest of your
treatment. Keep a copy of
your report and learn what
the results mean.
Your visit to a cancer centre will include a meeting with an ONCOLOGIST.
Oncologists are doctors who specialize in cancer treatments: medical
oncologists are experts in chemotherapy; radiation oncologists are experts
in radiation therapy; both are also trained in hormonal treatment.
Before your meeting at the cancer centre, your surgeon sends your medical
information to the oncologist. Your oncologist at the cancer centre will review
your case and recommend which treatments they think will be best for you.
At the meeting, your oncologist will discuss your treatment options with you.
Feel free to ask questions to be sure you understand the benefits and side
effects of each treatment. It is helpful to prepare your questions before the
meeting. You may be sent for additional tests after this meeting. Your
oncologist may ask if you would like to be in a CLINICAL TRIAL. With a
clinical trial you are offered the best treatment available to date and you
are given the opportunity to contribute to research by participating in
treatment which can further improve cancer care.
After this first meeting, you will have time at home to understand and
read more about the treatment that has been recommended for you.
When you and your oncologist have decided what treatment you will
receive, a schedule is planned.
Two types of surgery are done to treat breast cancer:
MASTECTOMY (removal of the whole breast) and
LUMPECTOMY (removal of the cancerous tumour and
some healthy tissue around it). You may also need
surgery to remove lymph nodes from your armpit.
“A friend attended all medical visits with me and acted as my ‘secretary’.
She wrote notes. I listened. It was a great idea as there was too much information
for me to absorb, too many questions to keep track of, and it was emotionally
exhausting. We visited and ‘de-briefed’ after each appointment over a cup of coffee.”
– Sandy, 8 years since diagnosis
“Living through the challenges that accompany breast cancer is life altering –
life has handed you a huge reason to live your daily life more deliberately.
You’ve fought for your life. Now’s the time to create your new ‘normal’, to find
satisfaction inyour inner life, to reconnect with friends and family and to celebrate
each day as a gift and continue to do so, year after year.”
– Judy C., 18 years since diagnosis
If you are considering BREAST
RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY, you will
be referred to a plastic surgeon. Together
you will need to decide if you are a good candidate,
which type of surgery to have, and when to have it.
You will need to consider the effects of
another surgery and recovery as well as
your expectations of how your new breast
will look and feel.
After your treatment you may experience emotions or changes in your
body and energy levels that you were not expecting. It is common to
experience a sense of trying to “find yourself” and to re-evaluate
your life and spirituality.
After your surgery, you may be referred to
the cancer centre nearest you for further
assessment and treatments.
PO
2. ORGANIZE YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS AND INFORMATION
You can get copies of all your test results from your family doctor
and learn what they mean. Ask a friend or family member to come
to appointments with you to write down the information you are
given and to help you remember what was said. You will feel less
anxious and more able to make calm, informed decisions.
For example, if you choose a mastectomy you can
also choose breast reconstruction surgery. If you
are of childbearing age, now is the time to learn
about how treatment can affect fertility.
Sometimes there is more than one option
available. Your surgeon will recommend
a surgery and explain the advantages
and drawbacks.
RADIATION THERAPY is an X-ray treatment to the area affected by cancer.
CHEMOTHERAPY is an anticancer drug taken as capsules, by injection or
intravenously (IV).
HORMONAL TREATMENT controls estrogen in the body through the use of drugs.
TARGETED THERAPY is only for Her 2 Neu positive tumours.
Remember each option has its pros and cons.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
– How will the treatment schedules affect my
life?
– How will I manage side effects?
– How will my quality of life
change?
– How comfortable am I with the
risk of recurrence?
T
N
1. REACH OUT AND ASK FOR SUPPORT
Talk to family and friends about what’s happening and how you
are feeling. Learn about resources available through local breast
programs, cancer centres and community organizations. Refer
also to the reading suggestions provided here. Talk to others who
have experienced breast cancer.
Additional treatment may be given after your surgery to help lower the risk
of your cancer recurring because it is impossible to be sure all the cancer
cells were removed. This preventative treatment is referred to as ADJUVANT
THERAPY. Depending on your type of cancer and the surgery you choose,
you may need one or more of these adjuvant therapies:
E
E
Learning you have breast cancer turns everything upside down.
Here are two things you can do right away:
your type of breast
cancer and your surgery
options. Your SURGERY
DECISION affects your later
treatment choices and can impact other
parts of your life. Learn everything you can now
about the pros and cons of each treatment option.
Your health care team can help you with this
decision and then decide what is right for you.
R
M
O
The duration and side effects of ADJUVANT
TREATMENTS and the many different options
make this a difficult decision point. Take the
opportunity to ask questions and learn about
your treatment options then make the decision
that is right for you.
-T
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ADDITIONAL TREA
TME
TH
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S
It is important for your healing to pay attention to PHYSICAL
AND EMOTIONAL CHANGES you may experience and to seek
support when you feel you need it. Learn about the resources
available to you, such as physiotherapists, complementary
health treatments, psychologists and counsellors.
A
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P R E PA R I N G Y O U R
TREA
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Start learning about
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Rest, take your time, and express your thoughts
and feelings to family and friends.
It is common after treatment to worry that your
breast cancer will come back. Discuss a FOLLOW-UP
PLAN with your oncologist to provide support, monitor
side effects and new symptoms, and detect early signs
of recurrence.
Your best strategies to lead a full life after breast cancer are:
1. Learn the breast self-examination technique and do it regularly.
2. Make sure you attend your follow-up appointments and have
regular mammograms. See a doctor in between appointments
if new symptoms appear.
3. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eat a nutritious, varied diet and
maintain a healthy weight. Get regular exercise and make time to
relax every day. Limit alcohol consumption and don’t smoke.
4. Most importantly—do what feels right to help you find a renewed zest for life!
LIVI
N G YO
UR LIFE