SOURCES:

1. National Comprehensive Cancer Network web site: “NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Breast Cancer, V.2.2008.” http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/breast.pdf
2. Singletary, SE et al. Revision of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system for breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2002 Sep 1;20(17):3628-36.
3. Fisher B, et al. Tamoxifen for the prevention of breast cancer: current status of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project P-1 study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2005 Nov 16;97(22):1652-62.
4. Howell, A et al. Results of the ATAC (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination) trial after completion of 5 years' adjuvant treatment for breast cancer. Lancet. 2005 Jan 1-7;365(9453):60-2.

The Breast Cancer Health Score was created by a team of medical experts at WebMD to help women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer better understand how factors related to the size and exact locations of the cancer can affect their choices for treatment. The Health score reflects the current status of health—something that is not always within the control of the patient.

A Breast Cancer Health Check Score of:

• 30 to 40
  • A score from 30 to 40 reflects an overall fairly healthy state—cancer that is at an early stage and that has also had little or no effect on usual daily activities.
• 10 to 29
  • A score from 10 to 29 reflects a more advanced stage of cancer, meaning it has spread beyond the breast so will require more treatment. The cancer may also be affecting usual daily activities.
• Less than 10
  • A score of less than 10 generally reflects an advanced stage of cancer that has spread to distant places in the body. Women with a low Health score can especially benefit from getting information and support from their doctors and nurses, as well as from emotional support from family and friends.

The Breast Cancer Health Score is based only on the current answers provided and may vary widely between Breast Cancer Health Check sessions. Some answers to certain questions of the Health Check influence scores in more than one section. The Health Score is presented for general information purposes only and may not be accurate for everyone with breast cancer. It is not intended to be a substitute or replacement for an evaluation by a qualified medical provider. Only your doctor can determine which diagnostic procedures and medical treatments are right for you. Treatments of breast cancer can be highly variable.

The Breast Cancer Well-Being Score was created by a team of medical experts at WebMD to help women examine how issues that are under their control, including personal attitudes, beliefs, and support sought from others, contribute to their overall quality of life during breast cancer treatment.

A Well-Being score of:

• 30 to 40
  • A score of 30 to 40 generally reflects excellent attention to personal health and emotional support, as well as a firm understanding on how to use the health care system to get breast cancer care.
• 10 to 29
  • A score of 10 to 29 generally shows less than full attention to personal health and emotional support, and may reflect a gap in understanding about how to get the most help and care from the health care system.
• Less than 10
  • A score of less than 10 generally shows a lack of attention to personal health, appropriate health care use, and emotional support. Working with doctors, nurses, and mental health counselors can help limit the negative effects that treatment for breast cancer has on daily life.

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The Breast Cancer Knowledge Score was created by a team of medical experts at WebMD to help women be better informed about health conditions and thereby make better decisions.

A Knowledge score of:

• 15 - 20
  • Generally reflects excellent overall understanding of breast cancer, the facts about your specific breast cancer and menopause status, as well as a good grasp of what can be expected from treatment.
• 5 to 14
  • Generally reflects adequate understanding of breast cancer and what can be expected from treatment, perhaps with some limitations in knowledge about your specific breast cancer and what can be expected from its treatment.
• Less than 5
  • Generally reflects the need to learn more about breast cancer both in general and about your specific type to fully understand what can be expected from treatment.