Preparing for Your Breast Cancer Care Visit

When you receive a breast cancer diagnosis, it’s normal to feel scared, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to expect.

At UPMC, our team members understand how you may feel, and we'll do our best to make your first visit as stress-free and productive as possible.

What to Bring to Your First Breast Cancer Care Visit

Before your first visit, please gather or complete the necessary documents and bring them to your appointment.

Documents and information include:

• A completed New Patient Assessment form.
• A list of questions to ask your care team.
• Insurance card and identification.
• Lab results.
• List of your current medications.
• Medical records from your other doctors.
• Pathology slides and written reports.
• X-rays and scans on CDs. Please ask your imaging facility to provide these scans in DICOM (digital imaging and communications in medicine) format.

How can I access my new patient paperwork?

After scheduling your appointment, we will mail you a packet of information that includes the initial paperwork needed for your appointment. Because we need a detailed personal and family health history, the paperwork is lengthy. Therefore, we ask that you complete as much of the paperwork as possible before your appointment.

How can I access my mammogram and breast ultrasound images?

If your previous breast images were taken at a UPMC imaging location, your provider should have electronic access to your images.

If they were taken at a non-UPMC imaging location, you will need to call the imaging facility at least 48 to 72 hours before your scheduled appointment to request a CD of your images.

While we can view some images from non-UPMC facilities online, you MUST bring a CD with your images in DICOM format to your first appointment if they were taken at a non-UPMC facility.

How long will my first breast cancer visit last?

Plan for your first visit to last two to four hours. During one visit, you will meet with multiple members of your cancer care team and may need additional imaging scans or other testing.

What to Expect When You Arrive

When you arrive for your first appointment, you will be greeted by a receptionist who will:

• Ask you to complete paperwork, if needed.
• Check you in for your appointment.
• Verify your contact and insurance information.

After you are checked in, you will take a seat in the waiting room until your care team is ready for you. One of our patient care assistants will take your height, weight, and blood pressure before showing you to your exam room.

Your Breast Cancer Assessment

After you are taken to an exam room, you will meet with multiple members of your care team, including a breast surgeon or a certified registered nurse practitioner (CRNP).

They will:

• Review your medical history, including previous imaging results.
• Review your family history.
• Perform a physical exam.
• Discuss your treatment options.

Making additional appointments

Our scheduler will coordinate your diagnostic testing and follow-up appointment. The breast center offers most diagnostic tests and procedures, including minimally invasive breast biopsies.

Lab appointments

Having your blood drawn is a vital step to ensure you receive the most accurate cancer treatment.

If you need lab work, your care team will:

• Sign you in for your appointment at the front desk and ask you to take a seat in the reception area.
• Direct you to the room to draw your blood.
• Receive and review the results of your tests, which may take up to 30 minutes.

Diagnostic and treatment appointments

If you are scheduled for a diagnostic or treatment appointment, your care team will:

• Take your vitals, height, and weight at each visit.
• Review your lab work before providing your treatment.
• Go over educational materials about the drugs, procedure, or other treatment you will receive.

Based on your specific cancer treatment plan, determined by you and your care team, injections may take 30 to 60 minutes. All other treatments may take two to eight hours. Your doctor will let you know how long your specific treatment will take.

Clinical trial participation

You may be eligible to take part in a cancer research study. Research is crucial for discovering new and improved cancer treatments.

Research studies require a unique treatment plan with more steps and procedures than traditional cancer treatment. If you choose to participate in a clinical trial, please know that you might need extra time during each visit.

Your research nurse will provide the details of your specific treatment.

Breast Cancer Care Co-Pays and Insurance

UPMC accepts many health insurance plans. We ask that you check with your health plan if you have questions about your coverage for doctor’s visits, emergency care, hospital stays, diagnostic tests, preventive screenings, or medical procedures.

You are responsible for paying any noncovered charges. If you have an insurance copay, you will be billed after your visit.

Common forms of payment we accept are:

• American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa.
• Cash or check.
• Flexible spending cards.
• Health care savings account cards.
• Debit cards.