Specialized Services

A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W Y All Services

At the UCSF Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center, we understand the stress that comes with a breast cancer diagnosis. The goal of Breast Cancer Decision Services is to help you map out your questions and concerns and digest the information you receive while facing a series of complex decisions.

Decision Services

Two services — Consultation Planning and Consultation Recording — are offered.

Consultation Planning — This service helps you identify your questions and concerns before your consultation with a breast cancer specialist. A trained staff member works with you to articulate key questions you want to ask during your appointment. We provide a printout of the questions to help guide the conversation with your doctor. Consultation planning is scheduled an hour before your doctor's appointment in the exam room where you'll be seen.

Consultation Recording — This is a process where a trained staff member attends the consultation with you and your doctor. The staff member records the appointment using an audio recorder and creates a written summary of your doctor's answers to your questions. You and your doctor are given a copy of the summary.

If you're scheduled for a consultation with a breast cancer specialist or surgeon, you may request our service. The service is especially helpful if you're newly diagnosed, seeking a second opinion or in the midst of a complex decision-making process.

Appointments

Consultation planning and recording are available for free on a limited basis. If you have an appointment with an oncologist or cancer specialist or a surgeon, please call the following numbers to request a consultation with Breast Cancer Decision Services:

If our staff is booked and can't accommodate your request for consultation planning and recording, please see www.guidesmith.org for tips on how to prepare for your medical appointments.