As you read this section, if you start to feel fearful, just click the TALK BACK to Fear button, and find some answers for your fears.

The fear of breast cancer is unlike any other—psychologists and other experts agree on that. The fear can take many different forms, depending upon where you are on the circle of the breast cancer experience.

You may be fearful of developing breast cancer for the first time… of receiving a diagnosis after a mammogram or other testing… of treatment… of cancer recurrence… or even of losing the battle. Don't let the discussion of fear in this section feed into your own. Understand that you are not alone and that—while fear is normal—you can manage it, instead of letting it manage you.

Fear of what treatment will be like for you is common and completely normal. breast cancer treatments can be what doctors call very "invasive." In plain English that means: invading, attacking, offensive, intruding, interfering. However, there is good news. breast cancer treatment today is far more effective than it was even five or ten years ago. It is more individualized to specific needs and cancer types. Surgical techniques have been developed to preserve women's figures while also preserving their lives. Medications have been developed to help control uncomfortable side effects.

For most women, the treatment process begins with surgery. For some women, this may be followed by more surgery and some or all of the following:

• Radiation. Myths and misunderstandings contribute to many unfounded fears about radiation therapy.
  
  
• Chemotherapy. Many women don't know about medications that can make chemotherapy more comfortable than it was twenty years ago.
  
  
• Hormonal (anti-estrogen) therapy. These treatments can reduce future risk of breast cancer even further AND give women an active role in controlling the disease for many years.

Decisions: Exercise your power

Doctors used to tell patients, "This is what we're going to do." Today there are many more options and decision-points for women with breast cancer. This can be empowering, as you participate in your own cancer-fighting plan and select the treatments that match your individual cancer profile, your personality, and lifestyle. True, decision-making can seem overwhelming, but it will be easier when you find reliable information, seek sound guidance, and learn how to play an active role in your own care.

The breastcancer.org experts for Coping with Fear of Treatment are: