Introduction

August 2003

To help doctors give their patients the best possible care, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) asks its medical experts to review the latest research on issues in cancer care and develop recommendations called clinical practice guidelines.

To help patients understand their cancer care, ASCO created this patient guide, based on the guidelines ASCO's experts developed to help people with breast cancer.

As you read this guide, please keep in mind:

• Every person treated for cancer is different. These recommendations are not meant to replace your or your doctors' judgment. The final decisions you and your doctors make will be based on your individual circumstances.

• These recommendations do not apply to clinical trials (research studies). Many of the drugs here continue to be studied in clinical trials. If ASCO does not recommend a drug or practice, it is often because there is not enough information to provide such recommendations, not because they are useless or harmful.

All guides are available in print or in PDF format. To order copies of the What to Know: ASCO's Guidelines, call ASCO customer service at 888-273-3508 or visit ASCO's publications shopping cart.

Last Updated: August 01, 2003

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