Questions to ask your doctor

We hope that this booklet has answered many of your questions about breast changes and the early detection of breast cancer. However, no booklet can take the place of talking directly with your doctor. Take any questions you have to your doctor. If you don't understand the answer, ask her or him to explain further.

Many women find it helpful to write down their questions ahead of time. The following list contains some of the most common questions that women have. You may have others. Jot them down as you think of them and take the list with you when you see your doctor.

• Do I need to have a mammogram? How often? Or if not, why not?
• How often should I schedule appointments with you?
• Will you teach me how to do BSE and check to see that I'm doing it properly?
• What should I watch for when I do BSE?
• How can I distinguish lumps from the normal parts of my breast?
• What kind of lumps do I have?
• Do you think I need to have a biopsy? If not, why not?
• Is there anything in my background that indicates I should have mammograms more often than is usually recommended?