Medical-speak, translated.

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The Babette Dictionary. 61 breast cancer terms from your pathology report, your appointments and the infusion room, translated into plain English.

Building Your Breast Cancer Care Team. Who belongs on your team during treatment and after, plus second opinions, the records to bring and the questions to ask.

The Basics

What breast cancer is, DCIS and invasive breast cancer, stage versus grade, hormone receptors and HER2, lymph nodes, surgical margins, pathology reports, and genetic and genomic testing.

Your Diagnosis

Understanding pathology, imaging, biopsy results, staging, treatment planning, second opinions, and care teams.

Treatments

Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, endocrine therapy, HER2-targeted therapy, immunotherapy, other targeted therapies, and clinical trials.

Surgery

Lumpectomy, mastectomy, reconstruction, going flat, sentinel lymph node biopsy, surgical drains, preparing for surgery, and recovery.

Side Effects

Fatigue, hair loss, skin changes, nausea, neuropathy, brain fog, lymphedema, sleep disruption, and pain.

Sex + Menopause

Treatment-induced menopause, vaginal dryness, painful sex, libido changes, sexual health options, fertility, intimacy, and body confidence.

Life During Treatment

Work, insurance, childcare, relationships, transportation, financial assistance, and everyday logistics.

After Treatment

Follow-up care, fear of recurrence, long-term side effects, returning to work, identity, relationships, and survivorship care plans.

Questions to Ask

Question lists to bring to your clinical appointments.