You will have many blood and imaging tests (such as CT scans, bone scans, and chest x-ray) after your doctor finds breast cancer. Your surgeon will want to know whether your cancer has spread to the liver, lungs, bones, or somewhere else.

Always tell your doctor or nurse if:

• You could be pregnant.
• You are taking any drugs or herbs you bought without a prescription.

During the week before the surgery:

• Several days before your surgery, you may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), vitamin E, clopidogrel (Plavix), warfarin (Coumadin), and any other drugs that make it hard for your blood to clot.
• Ask your doctor which drugs you should still take on the day of the surgery.

On the day of the surgery:

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the surgery.
• Take your drugs your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.
• Shower the night before or the morning of the procedure.
• Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital.