My Decision: Breast cancer decision aids

Breast cancer affects every aspect of a person's life. People with breast cancer must make an endless array of decisions, including where to seek care, which doctors to choose, whether to seek a second opinion, what treatment path is the best, who should be in my immediate support team, how to tell my family and friends, whether to continue working, among many others. 

Through its provision of information and support, BCNA aims to empower you to thoroughly understand your options, actively participate in your care and be supported throughout your experience with breast cancer. BCNA is continuing to develop its support tools so that you can be confident you have the right information at the right time to make the best decisions for you and your family.

BRECONDA

BRECONDA is BCNA's Breast RECONstruction Decision Aid.

Developed in collaboration with an international team of breast surgeons, oncologists, and researchers, BRECONDA is an online tool designed to help you make decisions about breast reconstruction surgery, specifically whether or not to have a breast reconstruction after mastectomy – and if so – what type of reconstruction will best suit you.

This decision aid is not intended to replace the advice of your breast surgeon. Decisions about breast reconstruction should be made in consultation with your breast surgeon or plastic surgeon who give you the best advice for your personal situation.

BRECONDA may help you:

• decide whether or not breast reconstruction is right for you
• learn about the breast reconstruction options available
• understand about the advantages and disadvantages of each option
• determine your preferences for the type of breast reconstruction you may choose

Learn more about and sign up for BRECONDA.

BCNA acknowledges the valuable contribution of Macquarie University and Western Sydney Local Health District, as represented by Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, to the creation of the BRECONDA materials and, in particular, the work of Associate Professor Kerry Sherman of Macquarie University.

Fertility decision aid

BCNA has created a decision aid for young women who have recently been diagnosed with early breast cancer. Because cancer treatment may decrease fertility and reduce the chance of having children in the future, the information provided in this online decision aid will help you decide which, if any, of the available fertility options are of interest to you.

This decision aid may be helpful if you:

• have recently been diagnosed with early breast cancer, and
• are still of reproductive age (having regular periods and no menopausal symptoms), and
• are thinking of starting a family or having more
  children in the future.

This booklet contains information about cancer treatment, how it can affect your fertility, and fertility options to consider. Also included are worksheets to help you think about these issues. With these worksheets are examples from other women who have faced these decisions.

Read BCNA's Fertility-related choices: A decision aid for younger women with early breast cancer.

Financial decision aid

The first few weeks and months after a breast cancer diagnosis can be an overwhelming time. Understanding the choices you have about your care and gathering the information you need to make the best decisions for you can be challenging, especially because many of the choices have financial implications for you and your family. 

BCNA has developed a practical guide to help you understand and manage the costs and financial impacts of breast cancer.   

This guide contains general information and advice on:

• common out-of-pocket expenses
• choice of public and private health systems
• financial consent
• support options
• practical tips.

View BCNA's guide helping you manage the financial impacts of breast cancer. 

Neoadjuvant patient decision aid

Sometimes drug treatments for early breast cancer are given before breast cancer surgery. This is called neoadjuvant therapy.

If you have neoadjuvant therapy, it means your treatment may start with chemotherapy, targeted therapy or hormone-blocking therapy, usually given for several months before surgery. Some treatments may also continue after surgery.

The neoadjuvant patient decision aid created by Breast Cancer Trials is designed to help people affected by early breast cancer make an informed decision about their treatment. It helps people affected by breast cancer understand their options for the timing of their treatment and surgery.

View Breast Cancer Trials’ Neoadjuvant decision aid to help you consider the options that may be available to you.