The Breast Cancer Checklist

By Fern Reiss

When author Fern Reiss was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, she was grateful for many of the books available telling her about the specifics of the disease. But she quickly discovered there was something lacking – a simple guide for patients and their families to make sure they were remembering to dot their i’s and cross their t’s all along the way.

Her book, The Breast Cancer Checklist, was written to solve this crucial omission. Reiss has compiled and created what she believes to be the only step-by-step, day-by-day guide to breast cancer. She was careful to create easy-to-use checklists for what to do before, during, and after breast cancer surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Each of these selected subjects takes into consideration the person’s health, their family and their individuality. The Breast Cancer Checklist covers everything from often-overlooked medical issues, to managing work-life during treatment. There is even information about “freebies” like wigs, restaurant meals, housecleaning services, makeup – even spas and vacations. This is a great go-to book not only for the patient, but also for her caretakers and medical team.

Readers will discover:

• One easy way to prevent nausea during chemotherapy
• The importance of getting a dental appointment prior to starting treatment
• Which single clothing purchase will permit easy post-surgery movement
• What to do now to prepare for the cancer vaccines of the future
• One easy way to have a (relatively) pain‐free recovery from surgery.... and more.

The Breast Cancer Checklist outlines dealing with the procedures, treatments, preparation, and follow-up that breast cancer patients require. Topics include: lumpectomy, mastectomy, reconstruction, post-surgery recovery, drainage care, pain management, infusion port insertion, prosthesis purchase, chemotherapy, radiation, Herceptin, Tamoxifen, Lupron, aromatase inhibitors, triple-negative diagnoses, lymphedema management, and clinical trials.

The book also provides checklists for finding an oncologist, a surgeon, and other health professionals, organizing health insurance records, as well as information on obtaining various products and aids to assist in greater comfort during and after surgery and chemotherapy. Additionally, there are checklists to help the patient organize her children, family, friends job – and much more.