What to ask your doctor about breast cancer surgery

This page has some suggestions for questions you might ask your doctor about breast cancer surgery.

Questions for your doctor about breast cancer surgery

Breast cancer surgery is a complex topic. There are many different questions that you might want to ask. This page has lists of questions that you might want to take with you to your appointments. There are separate sets of questions covering

Before surgery
If you need a mastectomy
After surgery
Breast reconstruction

CR PDF Icon You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the Treating breast cancer section.

Before surgery

What kind of operation do I need?
What is the exact name of the operation?
How do you know I definitely have cancer?
What will my breast and body look like after surgery?
What will the scars look like?
Can I see the breast care nurse before the operation?
Can I meet any other women who've had this type of surgery for breast cancer?
What are the likely effects of the surgery?
How will you check my lymph nodes? How will this affect me?
Will I be in pain – what helps?
Will I need pain killers?
Should I stop smoking – how will this help me?
Should I stop taking HRT?
Is there any breast cancer treatment I should have before my operation?
Will I need other treatment after surgery – for example, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy or biological therapy?
Can I choose which operation you do?
Can I avoid radiotherapy by having a mastectomy?
Can I avoid a mastectomy by having treatment to shrink my cancer?
Will I need more than one operation?

If you need a mastectomy

Why do I need a mastectomy?
In my case, is it best to have a breast reconstruction at the same time as the mastectomy?
Can I have breast reconstruction at the same time as my mastectomy?
What do you do about my nipple? Can I have nipple reconstruction or will I need to wear a false one? (click for organisations offering nipple prostheses.)

Breast reconstruction

Would breast reconstruction be appropriate for me?
What method would be best for me – do I have a choice?
What are the advantages and risks of each method?
Is there a specialist in the hospital who does breast reconstruction?
If there is no breast reconstruction specialist in the hospital, can you recommend a surgeon in my area?
Would you advise me to have breast reconstruction during my surgery? If not, please explain why.
Will I have scars?
Where will the scars be and what will they be like?
Will I have pain after the operation?
What do you do about my nipple? Can I have nipple reconstruction or will I need to wear a false one? (click for organisations offering nipple prostheses.)
Can you show me pictures of other reconstructions you have done?
Can you put me in touch with other patients who have had this type of reconstruction?
How often have you done this type of surgery?
How long will it take to get over the operation?
In your experience, how often do complications occur?
Which complications are most common?
How long will it take to recover?
When can I expect to get back to normal life?
Is there a waiting list for my type of surgery?

After surgery

How long will I need to stay in hospital?
What is lymphoedema – how can I help to prevent it?
What can I do to help myself recover?
What exercises should I do for my arm and shoulder?
Are there breast cancer nurses and other people who can help me?
What support is available in my area for people with cancer?
When can I drive again?
What housework can I do when I go home?
What shouldn't I do?
When can I start playing sport again? (Or going to the gym, doing yoga, swimming etc.)
How long will it take to get back to normal?
Can I go abroad?
Is it OK for me to fly?
Will the surgery affect my travel insurance and health insurance?