What questions should I ask before breast cancer surgery?

Each patient should undergo a very thorough consultation with both the medical oncologist and the general surgeon prior to the mastectomy surgery. The specific breast cancer diagnosis, including stage and grade, adjuvant therapy including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy (Tamoxifen) should be discussed. Finally, the specific type of surgery (lumpectomy, mastectomy, partial mastectomy, radical mastectomy) with or without lymph node dissection (axillary lymphadenectomy) should be reviewed. 

By asking good questions before you have breast surgery, you’ll be a well-informed patient and make the most of your time with your surgeon.  Let your surgeon know that you consider yourself to be an active player in your fight against breast cancer.

1. What, if any, viable alternatives to breast surgery do I have?

2. Please describe my non-surgical options.  If none, why do you recommend breast surgery for me?

3. Which type of breast surgery do you recommend for me?  Why? 

4. What are the specific objectives and benefits of this surgery in my case? 

5. How many of each type of breast surgery did you personally perform during the past year? 

6. What is your personal preference for performing lumpectomies versus mastectomies? 

7. Please describe this surgery in simple terms including the exact procedures and how long it will take.

8. Where will this surgery be performed? 

9. What are the short-term and long-term risks for this surgery?

10. Will there be any likely long-term changes from this surgery that won’t go away?

11. Who will do the actual surgery?

12. Do I have any choice in who will perform my surgery?

13. Will you have others or medical students who will assist in a major way? 

14. What can I expect during my immediate recovery? 

15. How long will I be in the hospital? 

16. Who will be responsible for my care while I’m in the hospital?

17. How long will the healing take? 

18. When can I return to work and my daily routines?  Exercise?  Drive? 

19. Will I need someone to help me after I leave the hospital?

20. What will my breast (or chest) look like and feel like after the surgery? 

21. Where will the scars be and what will they look like? 

22. What is the most probable outcome from this surgery? 

23. How likely will this surgery reduce my risk of recurring or spreading breast cancer?

24. How long has the operating room team worked together?

25. Should I donate my own blood prior to surgery as a precaution in case I need a transfusion? 

26. Will my tumor be saved? Where will it be stored and for how long?

27. If my tumor is saved, how can I or future researchers access it later for study or for a clinical trial I might participate in?

28. Should I think about additional surgery at the same time as my mastectomy or lumpectomy, such as breast reconstruction?