Consider the following possible treatment settings:

? Academic or teaching hospitals are likely to have the biggest names in your community on their staffs and to have access to current clinical trials.

? Community cancer centers may be located closer to your home and may also participate in some research programs.

? Private oncology practices may be the most convenient, and you may prefer the small size of the whole operation. This would feel comparable to going to your regular doctor’s office.

? Combinations of the above exist in many areas. For example, you may be able to meet with your oncologist in her/his private office away from the hospital and receive your chemotherapy either there or in a hospital-based unit.

Breast cancer care varies in complexity depending upon the clinical circumstances. Most situations require an integrated approach involving a number of specialists:

? A breast surgeon, who does the initial biopsy (unless that has already been done by another surgeon) and then the second surgery of either wide excision/partial mastectomy (also referred to as a lumpectomy) or mastectomy. Both of these definitive surgeries are likely to include an axillary node sampling.

? A plastic surgeon, if you are having a mastectomy and considering reconstruction.

? A radiation oncologist, if you are having a lumpectomy followed by radiation. Some women also have radiation following a mastectomy.

? A medical oncologist, who plans and delivers your chemotherapy or hormone therapy.

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