Hearing the words, “it’s  breast cancer” is scary and shocking and triggers a tsunami of worries and questions. 

But here is what you should know, breast cancer treatments are remarkably effective, and research is advancing cancer treatment almost daily.

Now you have a place to turn for easy-to-understand, actionable information that helps you advocate for the care you need…

… Harvard Medical School’s NEW Your Breast Cancer Action Plan: The Steps to Take Now That You Have a Diagnosis.

It’s essential to get support in processing your diagnosis and understand the types of breast cancer and their treatments so that you can work with your doctors to find the treatment that makes sense for you. 

Inside Harvard Medica’s School’s NEW online guide, you’ll discover five ways you can start to take charge of your care and become more confident in your decisions. 

Your Breast Cancer Action Plan is also packed with tips for managing and treating side effects, calming anxiety and stress, and staying healthy throughout your journey and beyond. And it answers questions you may have such as

• Which doctor(s) should you see?
• What do the different “stages” of breast cancer mean?
• Which treatments are best suited for the type of breast cancer you have including HER-2 cancers, hormone-receptor positive cancers, and triple-negative late-stage cancers?
• How can you minimize and manage side effects?
• How will your cancer diagnosis impact your relationship with family and friends?
• Is a clinical trial the right option for you?
• And more.

You’ll learn about the 5 common imaging tests—how they work, when they’re used, and what they can reveal about your cancer. The report will help clarify the meaning of cancer stages, and you’ll know what to ask about treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy. 

Your Breast Cancer Action Plan helps you be an active participant in choosing a treatment plan for your cancer—no matter what stage or which type of breast cancer you have. Plus, this handy guide is loaded with practical tips and helpful insights, including

• How to become your own most powerful advocate …
• Some of the key factors doctors use in considering the right treatment for your cancer … 
• How to protect your mental health during a challenging time, include symptoms of depression you should watch for and who to talk to if you’re struggling… 
• Lifestyle changes that can help reduce the risk of recurrence of cancer …

It also provides valuable resources. 

Breast cancer is one of the most curable types of cancer. With the help of Harvard Medical School’s NEW downloadable online guide, Your Breast Cancer Action Plan you can be a champion for your cure. 

Survival Rates You Should Know

According to the American Cancer Society, women whose cancer is confined to the breast only are 99% as likely to survive 5 years after their diagnosis as similar women who don’t have breast cancer. (It’s known as the relative survival rate.) If the cancer has only spread to nearby lymph nodes, the relative survival rate is still excellent at 86%.