Planning for appointments

PLANNING AHEAD

We understand that navigating breast cancer treatment, managing the risk of recurrence, and working towards remission can be challenging. That’s why planning ahead for your medical appointments is so important.

Whether you’re in the early stages of treatment or exploring long-term care options, being proactive can help you feel more confident and engaged in your care. This page offers guidance on how you can approach your appointments, ask the key questions, and take an active role in your treatment journey.

Download the appointment guide

THE BENEFITS OF PLANNING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

By planning ahead for your appointments, you’ll be better prepared to absorb information and discuss important topics with your care team. Many people arrive at their appointments with things they want to know, but then become overwhelmed by the information discussed. Consider taking a list of ‘must-know’ questions which you can keep with you and take notes so it becomes easier to remember afterwards.

Knowing what to expect can reduce anxiety and make the entire process feel more manageable. Here’s how planning can help:

You’ll be ready with questions, which leads to clearer answers.
You’ll feel more in control, which may help reduce stress.
You can ensure that your preferences are considered in every discussion

It can also be extremely beneficial to bring a friend or family member with you to appointments if possible. They can offer their support, take notes so you can focus on listening, and even help you remember important details when your appointment is over.

TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN YOUR TREATMENT DECISIONS

It’s important to remember that you are at the heart of your care team, meaning they will take any concerns or questions you may have into consideration before reaching any decisions.

Taking an active role in decisions about your treatment can ensure your journey is aligned to your circumstances and needs. Before each appointment, it may help to write down any concerns or questions you have about your treatment options.

Consider these questions for your next appointment:

What are your short-term and long-term health goals?
How do you feel about potential side effects?
What treatment options or clinical trials are relevant in your case?

Being prepared to share your thoughts and concerns with your healthcare team can lead to more meaningful conversations and a better understanding of your treatment options.

SHARED DECISION MAKING

Shared decision making is an approach where you collaborate with your healthcare team to come to a joint decision about the care you receive. By combining the medical expertise of your care team with your personal preferences and quality of life goals, you can reach decisions about your treatment together that can work better for you.

During appointments, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification if something is unclear or to request more information about potential treatments. It’s okay to take time to consider your options before making any major decisions. An honest and open dialogue with your care team may help you feel confident in your treatment choices.¹

WHAT QUALITY OF LIFE DO YOU WANT?

Your treatment plan should align with the quality of life you hope to achieve.

When deciding what you want from treatment, it’s important to consider how your treatment might affect you:

How do you feel about the intensity or duration of treatments?
How important is it to you to be able to maintain your daily routines, work, and/or social life?
Are there particular activities or lifestyle aspects you wish to preserve during treatment?

Communicating these preferences will help your care team adapt their treatment recommendations to help meet your needs.

DISCUSSION TOPICS FOR APPOINTMENTS

To help guide your conversations with your healthcare team, here are some key topics and examples of questions which you could discuss during your appointments:

YOUR CANCER CARE TEAM

Your cancer care team will likely include a range of professionals who are dedicated to supporting you at every stage. This might include:¹

ONCOLOGIST

Specialist in your cancer care. Oncologists can plan radiotherapy, chemotherapy and additional anti-cancer therapy. They will usually be your main point of contact.

SURGEON

Performs initial surgery and any reconstruction, or other necessary interventions that may be required.

CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST

Will administer your chemotherapy drugs and can provide you with support, information about breast cancer and signpost you to helpful platforms or patient organisations.

PHARMACIST

Provides you with your prescribed medicines and can offer advice on how best to take them.

National guidance recommends that all NHS breast cancer patients have their own breast care nurse if they want one⁴. Most private hospitals also have Clinical Nurse Specialists. Each member of your team plays a vital role in your care, and it’s important to feel comfortable asking any of them questions.

Building a relationship of trust with your care team can make a big difference in how confident you feel about your treatment and care. Remember, they are there to support you not just medically, but can also recommend how to manage your mental and physical health outside of clinical environment.

NAVIGATING THE NHS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

The UK’s NHS system is designed to provide comprehensive care, but it can often be complex and a little overwhelming to wrap your head around especially when managing a condition like breast cancer. Read below to learn more about each step you may take during your NHS treatment journey.

Diagnosis and staging

This step includes examinations, imaging, and biopsies to confirm a diagnosis and assess the extent of the disease. Understanding your diagnosis is crucial in planning the right treatment pathway.

Multidisciplinary team meeting

Your care is guided by a team of specialists, including oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and nurses. These experts come together to develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

Primary treatment options

Primary treatment may involve surgery, which can be either breast conserving surgery or mastectomy, this may be combined with axillary node dissection. Some patients may undergo breast reconstruction at the time of initial surgery, or at a later date.

Neoadjuvant therapy
Neoadjuvant therapy is a treatment given before the main surgery to shrink the tumour and make it easier to remove. It may include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy, depending on the type of breast cancer.² This approach can help improve surgical outcomes and, in some cases, allow for breast-conserving surgery instead of a mastectomy.³

Adjuvant therapies

After primary treatment, additional therapies like hormonal treatments, targeted therapies, radiotherapy or further chemotherapy may be recommended to lower the risk of recurrence.

Follow-up and monitoring

Regular check-ups, imaging, and blood tests are key to monitoring your recovery and catching any signs of recurrence early. Additional tests may be required to monitor any effects of treatment. This phase is integral to your long term care.

Supportive Care

Emotional, physical, and psychological support is essential. From counselling to physiotherapy and support groups, there are lots of resources available to help you navigate life during and after treatment.

If you are facing a long wait for a breast cancer diagnosis, it is important to take a lead role in your own health and manage your concerns. Delays in diagnosis can increase anxiety, but there are things you can do to stay proactive while waiting for appointments or test results. Here are some suggestions:

Follow up with your GP or breast clinic

Contact your GP if you feel the waiting time is too long and explain your concerns. They can follow up with the breast clinic on your behalf or even expedite your referral if your symptoms begin to worsen.

Breast clinics sometimes have cancellations or earlier appointments available. You can ask to be placed on a cancellation list or check with the clinic regularly for any earlier availability.

Reach out to support services

Charities like Breast Cancer Now or Macmillan Cancer Support offer helplines, online forums, and emotional support for those waiting for diagnosis or treatment. Speaking with someone who understands your concerns can provide reassurance and reduce anxiety during the wait. If you’re struggling with anxiety or stress, consider speaking to a counsellor or therapist.

Consider private testing

If you are particularly anxious or waiting times are very long, you might consider paying for private diagnostic tests. These results can then be shared with your NHS doctor for continued care.

Some patients use private diagnostics as a temporary measure while waiting for NHS appointments, then revert to NHS care for the rest of their treatment.

Monitor symptoms

Keep a close eye on your symptoms. If there are any changes, for example the lump increases in size, new pain develops, or there are changes in the skin or nipple, inform your GP or breast clinic immediately. Worsening symptoms might prioritise your case.

References:

Breast Cancer Now. The multidisciplinary team (MDT). Available from: https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/treatment/the-multidisciplinary-team-mdt/#:~:text=The%20team%20may%20include%3A,or%20radiotherapy%20and%20cancer%20drugs [Accessed: May 2025]
National Cancer Institute. Neoadjuvant therapy. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/neoadjuvant-therapy [Accessed: May 2025]
West H, Jin J. Neoadjuvant Therapy. JAMA Oncol. 2015;1(4):550. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2015.1241
NHS long term cancer plan. Available from: https://www.longtermplan.nhs.uk/online-version/chapter-3-further-progress-on-care-quality-and-outcomes/better-care-for-major-health-conditions/cancer/ [Accessed: May 2025]

UK | May 2025 | FA-11300421-1