Preface. -- Part 1: Cancer basics: Chapter 1. When cancer strikes -- Chapter 2. Understanding cancer: What is cancer? ; How does cancer occur? ; Causes ; Advancing our knowledge of cancer -- Visual guide. -- Part 2. Breast cancer: Chapter 3. An overview: Your breasts ; Breast cancer ; What causes breast cancer? ; How common is breast cancer? ; Advancing science -- Chapter 4. Making sense of risk statistics: What is risks and how is it measured? ; Quantifying risk ; Risk factors -- Chapter 5. Hereditary breast cancer: Is it hereditary? ; Inheriting a genetic mutation ; Genetic counseling and testing ; Making a decision -- Chapter 6. Preventing breast cancer: Lifestyle factors ; Women at high risk ; Future directions -- Chapter 7. The latest on screening: Ongoing controversies ; Screening recommendations ; Breast self-awareness ; Clinical breast examination ; Mammography ; New approaches -- Chapter 8. Diagnosing breast cancer: Signs and symptoms ; Medical history ; Physical examination ; Imaging tests ; Biopsy procedures ; Pathology report ; Staging -- Chapter 9. Precancerous conditions: Atypical hyperplasia ; Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) ; Your options -- Chapter 10. Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS): Diagnosis ; Key factors ; Treatment options ; Making the decision -- Chapter 11. Treating invasive breast cancer: Treatment options ; Surgery ; Radiation therapy ; Decision guide : lumpectomy vs. mastectomy ; Additional treatment ; Therapy options ; Decision guide : adjuvant systemic therapy ; Clinical trials.

Chapter 12. Breast reconstruction: Immediate vs. delayed ; Types ; Issues to consider -- Chapter 13. Special situations: Locally advanced breast cancer ; Women at high risk of a second cancer ; Bilateral breast cancer ; Unknown primary cancers ; Metaplastic breast cancer ; Lymphomas and sarcomas ; Paget's disease ; Breast cancer and pregnancy ; Breast cancer in men -- Chapter 14. Follow-up and surveillance: Understanding recurrent cancer ; Follow-up care ; Dealing with uncertainty --Chapter 15. If the cancer comes back: Types of recurrence ; How cancer cells spread ; Local recurrence -- Regional recurrence -- Metastatic recurrence -- Chapter 16. Treating advanced breast cancer: Determining prognosis ; Treatment options ; Monitoring treatment ; Localized treatments ; When treatment stops working -- Chapter 17. Ovarian cancer : what you should know: Your ovaries ; What is ovarian cancer? ; How common is it? ; Risk factors ; Preventing ovarian cancer ; Screening methods ; Early warning signs ; Spread of ovarian cancer ; Diagnosis and treatment -- Chapter 18. Uterine cancer : what you should know: The uterus ; Uterine cancer basics ; Risk factors ; Can it be prevented? ; Warning signs ; Diagnosing uterine cancer ; Determining the extent of the cancer ; Treatment options.

Part 3: Life after a cancer diagnosis: Chapter 19. Feelings and emotions: Making the journey ; Tips for the trip ; Communicating with family ; Communicating with children ; Communicating with friends -- Chapter 20. Treatment side effects: Fatigue ; Nausea and appetite problems ; Hair loss ; Decreased arm and shoulder mobility ; Lymphedema ; Sudden menopause ; Sexual changes ; Osteoporosis ; Neuropathy ; Joint aches and pains ; Weight gain ; Cognitive changes -- Chapter 21. Complementary therapies: Getting the most of complementary therapies ; Types of therapies ; Funding reliable information -- Chapter 22. Survivorship: Moving forward ; Taking care of your health ; Support groups ; Public events -- Chapter 23. Making the transition to supportive care: Accepting your situation ; Maintaining hope ; When you and your family disagree ; Managing signs and symptoms ; Hospice care -- Chaper 24. For partners: Dealing with your loved one's diagnosis ; How you can help ; Talking to each other ; Maintaining sexual intimacy ; Caring for yourself ; Dealing with incurable cancer ; Resources ; Time of growth. -- Additional resources -- Glossary -- Index.