My first response was to turn to my husband and say “I am sorry!”. border:none; 3. You can find a therapist experienced in ACT on the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies website. border:none; Up your fiber intake. float: right; padding: 20px 35px 20px 10px; Part 2 discusses how to cope with potential side effects such as swelling of the arm and weight change. height: 1px; ', disbelief – especially if you feel well and healthy, relieved – that the cancer has been found, numb – you might not feel anything at all, breast cancer support groups, which can provide a sense of community, and be an opportunity to share your experiences and learn different ways of dealing with problems. Since I’m trying to share the good, the bad and the ugly as it relates to my breast cancer journey, I need to share something that many will consider taboo. Find out the different ways we can support you. padding: 20px 35px 20px 10px; Coping with any change to your body will take time and patience. hr{color: #ed8b00; Coping with emotional and social effects Living with metastatic cancer is challenging. You may want to try: You might be nervous about talking to people about your diagnosis, especially at first. background: url('https://breastcancernow.org/sites/all/themes/bcc/images/arrow-up.jpg') no-repeat right center; There are many effective therapies that can help. The numbness stayed for weeks. #backtotop{ Low mood and depression To hear from us, enter your email address below. For example, exercise may improve mood, fatigue and social well-being [ 13-16 ]. You might have other things to deal with such as: It can take a long time to get used to the changes that have taken place and to adjust to life after breast cancer. Breast exam. Others prefer to let their feelings show and draw strength and support from people close to them. How to Cope After a Mastectomy. 2. During this time you may experience a number of emotions such as anger, fear, shock and disbelief. Although most breast cancer survivors report a good quality of life, you may have some long-term side effects from treatment [11-12]. Screening vs. … 5. Learn more about the benefits of exercise and social support. font-weight: 700; After treatment ends, there are many ways you can be a part of the breast cancer cause through research, community work or advocacy efforts. On the other side, loved ones are afraid of upsetting you by talking about the end of life issues—so they say nothing. Coping with Cancer | American Cancer Society What patients and caregivers need to know about cancer, coronavirus, and COVID-19 . Here are some tips to help you manage life with and after breast cancer. Some may be temporary, and others may last a lifetime. float: right; April 12, 2018 April 12, 2018 by smilethroughthefog. float: right; You might be anxious about your treatment or sad because your life is changing. Whatever your initial feelings, you’ll probably go on to experience many different emotions. Managing side effects and other issues that reduce your quality of life is an important part of breast cancer care. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in June of 2014. 4. These may include hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, fatigue, chronic breast pain, lymphedema and a loss of sex drive. That can feel quite isolating. It’s not uncommon for people to feel their body has let them down or that they need to exert some control over their lives at a time when they feel unsure about the future and the changes in their body. width:100%} hr{color: #ed8b00; hr{color: #ed8b00; Anxiety and stress #backtotop{ Mammograms are commonly used to screen for breast cancer. For some, meeting with other people who are in a similar situation can help to reduce feelings of anxiety, isolation or fear. You may have been left with reminders of what you have been through and a sense of loss for how things were before. Life after breast cancer treatment It can be difficult adapting to life after primary breast cancer treatment. At first, you may feel scared or numb, or perhaps upset and confused. It can be very difficult to cope with a diagnosis of breast cancer, both practically and emotionally. font-weight: 700; When cancer treatment is over, patients are often faced with mixed emotions. height: 1px; border:none; Counseling (psychotherapy) Talking with a trained mental health provider (such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor or clinical social worker) can reduce distress and improve mental well-being and quality of life for breast cancer survivors [ 128 ]. Finding it difficult to work and maintain relationships can add to the feelings of loss you’re experiencing. font-weight: 700; Adjusting to life after treatment. float: right; 3. After a diagnosis of breast cancer, you may feel more stressed or anxious than usual. Here you will find articles written to help your emotional well-being including how to deal with frustration and anger, understand the reasons why cancer can bring depression, how to identify these emotions and tips on what you can do. background: url('https://breastcancernow.org/sites/all/themes/bcc/images/arrow-up.jpg') no-repeat right center; }. More tests found that her cancer was HER2-positive. Talking to other people with breast cancer, 4. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. The usual scenario goes like this: People with metastatic breast cancer want to talk about these concerns, but are afraid to upset their loved ones—so they stay quiet. You might feel the need to avoid situations where you have to deal with others’ responses to you. Find information and support on managing concerns around recurrence, your body, diet and physical activity, and coping emotionally. If you have issues or concerns about your breast cancer, you can talk to: Most people will be put in contact with a breast care nurse during the early days of diagnosis and treatment. Researchers are looking at ways breast cancer survivors can improve quality of life long-term. Cancer treatment can leave you constipated, with hard stools that are difficult … Others prefer counseling in a group setting. padding: 20px 35px 20px 10px; ... Once again, communication with your partner can be very helpful in maintaining a healthy, happy sex life after breast cancer. #backtotop{ Social support may also improve quality of life for breast cancer survivors [ 17-19 ]. It is very important to get the right information about your type of cancer and how it is best treated. Many cancer survivors say that once treatment ended, it was hard to make a transition to a new way of life. #backtotop{ Living & Managing. There’s no list of right or wrong feelings to have and no correct order to have them in. However, there are things you can do to ease some symptoms. Coping with life after breast cancer. When you are first diagnosed you may feel: My feelings were of complete shock and anger… I was so emotional and truly thought I was going to die. Talking to other people with breast cancer. By Elaine K. Howley , Contributor June 20, 2017 background-color: #ed8b00; Feeling isolated Give hope to others in your situationShare Your Story or Read Others, Susan G. Komen Telling friends and family about breast cancer Relationships with spouses, partners, other family members and friends, Pain, fatigue and other side effects of treatment or symptoms of the breast cancer. 6. The list of changes is endless, and there are a lot of negative impacts that remain, but some are more positive. You have to cope with the emotional strain of the diagnosis and the challenges of treatment, as well as the stresses of daily life. This is part 1 of a two-part story on coping with changes to your body after breast cancer. width:100%} “We don’t say someone is in menopause until they’ve gone a year without a menstrual period ,” says Patricia Ganz, MD, director of cancer prevention and control research and of the patients and survivors program area at UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. Breast Cancer Now: sex, intimacy and breast cancer; Cancer Research UK: life after breast cancer surgery; Macmillan Cancer Support: coping with relationships and sex after breast cancer; Money and financial support. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Make time to share your feelings with others. border:none; A diagnosis of breast cancer can have many different emotional effects. height: 1px; Probably the most common fear is that the cancer will come back (a cancer recurrence). background-color: #ed8b00; background: url('https://breastcancernow.org/sites/all/themes/bcc/images/arrow-up.jpg') no-repeat right center; Whether it’s driving the kids to soccer practice, mowing the lawn or preparing meals … You may feel like life as you knew it has been disrupted by the diagnosis of breast cancer and that you have lost a sense of who you are. You may have a stronger sense of spirituality or faith and a more hopeful view that increases pleasure in life [20]. It may help you to take time to rest, eat a healthy diet, keep active if you are able to and, when you can, do something you enjoy. Here are some ideas that have helped others deal with fear and feel more hopeful: Be informed. That is why it helps to build a strong support network of family and friends. I would say that 85% of this book directly pertains to my experience. Loss of identity 1. I didn’t know what else to say. Our information and services can help you cope with these feelings and adjust to life after treatment: Many people find it difficult to relate to people around them after breast cancer treatment. I feel that the author is having a conversation with me. How do you cope with fear of cancer returning? Coping with Cancer Coping refers to how we deal with problems or difficulties. You don’t have to ignore these feelings and struggle on. You can also order our 'Moving forward' pack today. Identity at times can affect a number of areas of your control anxiety as a breast cancer anger! Remain, but some are more positive after a diagnosis or breast cancer survivors [ 17-19 ] some long-term effects... Will check both of your life you react to your coping with life after breast cancer and are... 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