Breast Cancer Frequently Asked Questions

It’s normal to want to start breast cancer treatment as soon as possible. And while you shouldn’t wait too long, you generally have a few weeks to learn more about your diagnosis and review your treatment options. You may want to speak to more than one medical oncologist to understand their approach, including the type of surgery and the other treatments that would be used to ensure all of the cancer is destroyed.

A second opinion also helps you be confident in your care decisions and allows you to experience more than one cancer center before starting treatment. The specialists at Affiliated Oncologists often give second opinions to those who were diagnosed with breast cancer. They will review your biopsy and other test results and discuss the treatments that would be included in your personalized breast cancer treatment plan. Insurance often covers a second opinion appointment. When you make an appointment, our team will reach out to your insurance carrier to confirm coverage.

Yes, most patients can choose both where they receive treatment and which specialists are part of their care team. If you were diagnosed with breast cancer, you may be referred to the oncology team at the facility where you had a mammogram or other testing performed. However, it doesn’t mean you have to use that particular cancer center for your breast cancer treatment.

When deciding where to receive treatment, consider factors such as overall cost, where the cancer center is located (including parking), and appointment availability. Affiliated Oncologists offers comprehensive breast cancer care at multiple locations throughout the southern Chicago suburbs. Request an appointment with one of our breast cancer specialists at a location that is convenient for you.

It’s natural to wonder if your breast cancer diagnosis is related to your family’s genes. While having a family history of breast cancer does increase the risk of developing the disease, only about 5-10% of breast cancers are linked to inherited genetic mutations.

If several family members have had breast, ovarian, pancreatic, or prostate cancer, genetic testing may be recommended. Testing looks for mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are the primary inherited gene mutations associated with a higher cancer risk.

You may also want to read our blog: 5 Ways to Reduce Your Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk When You’re BRCA-positive.

Some patients may benefit from treatment before surgery, known as neoadjuvant therapy. This approach may include one or more treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or radiation therapy to shrink larger tumors before they are surgically removed.

Neoadjuvant therapy is often recommended for larger tumors or for aggressive breast cancer types, such as triple-negative or HER2-positive breast cancer. By shrinking the tumor first, surgery can sometimes be less extensive. Your breast cancer team will explain whether this approach should be included in your treatment plan based on your specific diagnosis.

If you don’t require treatment before surgery, therapies after surgery are likely, such as radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or chemotherapy.

Not all breast cancer treatments result in hair loss. For instance, surgery and radiation therapy to the breast typically do not affect hair. However, some systemic treatments, such as the chemotherapy used for breast cancer, can lead to hair loss. Some targeted therapy and immunotherapy drugs might cause hair thinning, but not necessarily complete hair loss.

Our team will discuss the side effects of your specific treatment plan and ways to manage them, including scalp cooling during treatment to help reduce hair loss. You may also want to watch this video.

The cost of cancer care varies based on your insurance coverage and treatment plan. At Affiliated Oncologists, our financial counselors are available to help you understand your benefits, estimate out-of-pocket expenses, and create a manageable payment plan.

As an independent oncology practice, Affiliated Oncologists offers high-quality, advanced care at a more affordable cost than hospital outpatient departments. According to the Community Oncology Alliance, cancer treatment in a hospital-affiliated outpatient department can cost up to 50% more than it would at an independent oncology practice.

Affordable care at AO does not mean compromising on quality. Our patients receive the latest treatments and have access to the most advanced technologies, expert knowledge, and personalized attention.

Breast cancer clinical trials offer access to promising new treatments that are not yet widely available. Participating in a research study may benefit some patients as part of their care. Affiliated Oncologists provides access to clinical trials for patients throughout the greater Chicago area and can help you determine if a study is right for you.

Learn about the breast cancer clinical trials available at Affiliated Oncologists.

Affiliated Oncologists has over 50 years of experience treating all types and stages of breast cancer in the greater Chicago area. Our board-certified physicians and advanced practice providers are experts in their fields and work together to deliver compassionate, personalized treatment that incorporates state-of-the-art cancer technologies and therapies. Many of our physicians participate in clinical research studies, bringing the latest and most advanced treatments to our patients.

The risk of recurrence depends on various factors, including the type of breast cancer, its stage at diagnosis, and the treatments received. Generally, breast cancers that are detected and treated at earlier stages are less likely to recur compared to those identified at more advanced stages.

For patients with hormone-positive (HR+) breast cancer, long-term hormone therapy may be recommended to help reduce the risk of recurrence. Your cancer care team will discuss potential side effects with you and suggest ways to manage them.

Ongoing follow-up care is an important part of survivorship. Regular visits and follow-up imaging allow your care team to monitor your health and address any concerns as early as possible. Learn more in our blog about the signs of recurrent breast cancer.