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Don't ever blame yourself for getting breast cancer. Scientists have identified a number of risk factors, but no one knows what causes this disease. Racking your brain for reasons is a waste of energy; there are no answers. And don't feel pressured to carry out your "to-do" list to the degree that you did before your diagnosis. For example, forgive yourself if you are late for a lunch date or forget to send your nephew a birthday card. People will understand.

If you are undergoing cancer treatment or expect to be, it's important to plan for the eventuality that you may feel very fatigued during the treatment period. If possible, arrange in advance to have friends and family pitch in with meal preparation, child care, caring for your pets and other household tasks in case you just don't feel up to doing such things. Speak with your employer about taking time off or working flexible hours while you're undergoing treatments. Studies have shown that general fatigue, including fatigue caused by anemia, affects more than three-quarters of patients undergoing cancer treatment. Other side effects of treatment can include nausea, depression and pain.

Taking combined estrogen-progestin hormone therapy may increase your breast cancer risk more than taking estrogen alone, according to a study of 16,000 women in the federally funded Women's Health Initiative (WHI). The most recent results from the study found that not only did combined hormone therapy increase the risk of breast cancer, it also increased the chance that the cancer would be found at a later stage.

Most health insurers and Medicare cover mammography, an x-ray screening for breast cancer that generally costs $50 to $150. If you are not insured and cannot afford mammography, call the American Cancer Society, 1-800-ACS-2345, your state health department or the nearest YWCA (ask about the ENCOREplus program) for referrals to free or low-cost mammography to qualifying women.

You can also e-mail the National Breast Cancer Foundation at info@nationalbreastcancer.org or call the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at 1-800-311-3435. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, when many mammography facilities offer reduced fees and extended hours. If you are unable to schedule a mammogram another time of year, it helps to call in September to reserve an appointment.

In the past, it was assumed that breast cancer patients who are 65 or older who underwent lumpectomy followed by radiation did not fare as well as their younger counterparts who had the same breast-conservation therapy (BCT). However, more recent studies find that BCT provides excellent disease-free survival rates among elderly women with breast cancer. In an 2001 study, the five- and 10-year survival rates were 96 percent and 91 percent, respectively. Experts recommend that elderly patients who do not suffer from severe coexisting diseases have this procedure.