When being diagnosed with Breast Cancer, one of your first steps should be putting together a Support Team. Joining a support group can be one of the most beneficial things to do for yourself. When joining a support group, you will meet regularly, under the guidance of a trained facilitator, who will be able to discuss the concerns you have about your Breast Cancer, as well as helping you to better understand and cope with the feelings you may be having.

There are many types of support programs, and each one is different, so take your time to choose which one will be the most beneficial to you and your Breast Cancer.

Support Group programs are organized in a variety of ways, including long-term support groups, short-term support groups; And even some support groups that are composed of people that are dealing with the same issues or disease. I believe it’s a good choice to choose a Breast Cancer Support group, in order to be able to speak openly and relate to the other people, that are going through a very similar process, which will help you in the long run. Having someone to talk to about your concerns about your Breast Cancer, is one of the most important things you will need as you go through this fight, so gather your Health Care Team and think about joining a Support Group. Make sure to visit the support group a few times before choosing one, to make sure you feel comfortable with the people around you and that the group supports your needs and expectations.

Your Health Care team will usually involve a variety of doctors and specialists, who are experts in their field, and will be able to give you the best recommendations regarding issues such as Surgery options, Chemotherapy, Radiation, and even your Nutrition. There are actually many Hospitals and Cancer centers today that already have such Breast Cancer expert teams available to you, which are referred to as, ” Multidisciplinary Teams “. If the hospital or Cancer Center you are attending at the time, does not have any breast cancer team available, there are many other resources available such as; Susan G. Komen for The Cure, Breast Cancer Network of Strength, The National Cancer Institute, and The American Cancer Society. These are some of the different resources that are available if you are interested in finding new health care professionals to add to your team, or to possibly get a second opinion from another health care provider ( which is always a good idea ),  and to open the door to knowledge and information that will be able to help you with you with your diagnosis.  If you have a Health Care Team already, you may want to seek out other specialists that are of interest to you ( Like Chemotherapy, Radiation, or Reconstruction ), whom you can call if you have any questions that come up at the time when your regular health care team is not available.

When going through Breast Cancer, you will most likely have many specialists involved in your treatment, such as the following.

Clinical Nurse Specialist- A clinical nurse specialist is a nurse who has training and knowledge in a specific area, such as breast cancer, post-operative care, radiation, or chemotherapy.

Anesthesiologist- An anesthesiologist is a specialist who administers specific gases or drugs which will put you to sleep before having surgery.

Medical Onocologist-  A medical oncologist is a trained doctor who administers special anti-cancer drugs or chemotherapy during your treatment.

Pathologist- A pathologist is a doctor who will be examining the tissue removed during a biopsy, and who issues a report which will help you and your other doctors choose which type of treatment will be the most effective for your specific case.

Personal Physician- A personal physician is a doctor who is responsible for treatment coordination, and sometimes can also be a radiation oncologist, surgeon, medical oncologist, or even a family physician. A personal physician will put together your treatment plan and inform you of your options.

Personal Navigator- A personal Navigator is a trained nurse who will act as a guide, to help you through the medical maze, logistic issues, insurance, and more. Your personal navigator is there to help guide you whenever you have questions about specific issues or questions throughout your treatment and recovery.

Plastic Surgeon- A plastic surgeon is a trained specialist in the field of cosmetic surgery, such as breast reconstruction after having surgery of the breasts, such as a mastectomy.

Physical Therapist- A physical therapist is trained to help you with post-surgical rehabilitation. Physical therapist use many different techniques, such as heat therapy, specific exercises, and even massage. They will help you to gain your strength before and after surgery. Exercising before and after surgery is very important, so make sure to speak with a physical therapist and your personal navigator or your personal physician to seek information on insurance coverage, and if you are eligible.

Radiation Therapy Technologist- A radiation therapy technologist works with and under a radiation oncologist, to help administer radiation treatment.

Radiation Oncologist- A radiation oncologist is a physician who is specifically trained to use high-energy X-rays for treatment of your breast cancer ( and other cancers ).

Surgeon- A surgeon is a medical doctor who has many years of experience and knowledge, specializing in surgery, who will be preforming the initial operation on your breast cancer.

Social Worker-  A social worker is a professional who is trained to deal with economic and social aspects of treatments, such as solving insurance issues or helping you to choose a support group, if you need help or advice with issues such as these.