Cancer information for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people; Get Support. Many people experience these types of issues. During this time you may experience a number of emotions such as anger, fear, shock and disbelief. Feeling isolated Coping with Cancer Coping refers to how we deal with problems or difficulties. ... Once again, communication with your partner can be very helpful in maintaining a healthy, happy sex life after breast cancer. Being a survivor puts you in a unique position to help others affected by breast cancer. 9. Talking to other people with 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. EIN 75-1835298. They are there to offer support and information to you and your family. Talking to other people with breast cancer. Whether it’s driving the kids to soccer practice, mowing the lawn or preparing meals … padding: 20px 35px 20px 10px; This article explores the surprising challenges of life in remission and tips to help keep a positive mindset through these additional life changes. You don’t have to ignore these feelings and struggle on. float: right; 3. Coping with breast cancer can be draining and stressful. “Quality of life” describes your overall well-being, including: Non-health issues (such as financial concerns) are also part of quality of life. Here are some tips to help you manage life with and after breast cancer. It can be very difficult to cope with a diagnosis of breast cancer, both practically and emotionally. How do you cope with fear of cancer returning? However, there are things you can do to ease some symptoms. padding: 20px 35px 20px 10px; border:none; Some people may experience anxiety for the first time. Call the Komen Breast Cancer Clinical Trial Information Helpline: *877-465-6636 * We’ve also partnered with the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation to assist and support women with triple-negative breast cancer. #backtotop{ Coping with cancer; Exercise and cancer; Pro Bono Program; Financial Assistance Services; Transport, accomodation and home help; Life after cancer treatment; Caring for someone with cancer; Work and cancer; Webinars; By communities. background-color: #ed8b00; background-color: #ed8b00; Mammograms are commonly used to screen for breast cancer. This can be because: If people around you are expecting you to go back to the person you were before you were diagnosed, this in turn can make you feel very isolated and alone. Life after breast cancer treatment It can be difficult adapting to life after primary breast cancer treatment. 1-877-465-66361-877 GO KOMEN, For breast health or breast cancer information, please call the Breast Care Helpline: 1-877-465-6636 or helpline@komen.org, For clinical trial information, please call the Clinical Trial Information Helpline: 1-877-465-6636 or clinicaltrialinfo@komen.org, © 2021 Susan G. Komen is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Coping with life after breast cancer. float: right; Learn more about the benefits of exercise and social support. I would say that 85% of this book directly pertains to my experience. Here are some ideas that have helped others deal with fear and feel more hopeful: Be informed. }. font-weight: 700; Part 2 discusses how to cope with potential side effects such as swelling of the arm and weight change. float: right; 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. Feeling you have lost your identity at times can affect a number of areas of your life. 1. These may include hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, fatigue, chronic breast pain, lymphedema and a loss of sex drive. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in June of 2014. 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. Cancer has changed everything: work, relationships, and how I relate to myself. height: 1px; Most people have low moods or depression after a diagnosis or breast cancer. width:100%} Probably the most common fear is that the cancer will come back (a cancer recurrence). “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. 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. 2. 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. 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. hr{color: #ed8b00; }. width:100%} I felt numb. 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. View all of CancerCare’s resources to help you better cope with breast cancer » background: url('https://breastcancernow.org/sites/all/themes/bcc/images/arrow-up.jpg') no-repeat right center; hr{color: #ed8b00; How you react to your breast cancer can depend not only on you but also on those around you or your cultural background. background: url('https://breastcancernow.org/sites/all/themes/bcc/images/arrow-up.jpg') no-repeat right center; 4. Coping With a Breast Cancer Diagnosis Coping with breast cancer A breast cancer diagnosis can cause a wide range of feelings. Relationships with spouses, partners, other family members and friends, Pain, fatigue and other side effects of treatment or symptoms of the breast cancer. It’s natural to feel hopeful on some days, and very low or anxious on others. Everyone copes with a diagnosis of breast cancer in different ways and you’re likely to experience a range of emotions. height: 1px; Whether you are newly diagnosed, a long-term survivor or still in active treatment, breast cancer can affect how you feel inside and out. For example, exercise may improve mood, fatigue and social well-being [ 13-16 ]. To hear from us, enter your email address below. #backtotop{ As a cancer survivor, you’re ready to move on with life after cancer. 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 ]. width:100%} That can feel quite isolating. background: url('https://breastcancernow.org/sites/all/themes/bcc/images/arrow-up.jpg') no-repeat right center; If you have to reduce or stop work because of breast cancer, you may find it difficult to cope … Jamie Grill/The Image Bank/Getty Images. 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. float: right; However, side effects from your disease or aggressive treatment methods may interfere with your quality of life. Talking to other people with breast cancer, 4. It is a stressful time. Low mood and depression The breast care nurse can give you support and relevant information on managing yourself. After that, she says, “I can go back to the life I once had.” Davis’ life was turned upside down in October 2015 when she was called back after her regular, yearly mammogram. No one told me that life after cancer was the hard part. More tests found that her cancer was HER2-positive. Here’s how to cope. After treatment ends, there are many ways you can be a part of the breast cancer cause through research, community work or advocacy efforts. The American Cancer Society has suggestions for healthy ways to deal with the stress and emotional challenges that come from a cancer diagnosis. There are many effective therapies that can help. background-color: #ed8b00; }. Cancer treatment can leave you constipated, with hard stools that are difficult … background: url('https://breastcancernow.org/sites/all/themes/bcc/images/arrow-up.jpg') no-repeat right center; background-color: #ed8b00; Find information and support on managing concerns around recurrence, your body, diet and physical activity, and coping emotionally. I faced and overcame many struggles caring for my wife during her 17-and-a … Coping with any change to your body will take time and patience. Many cancer survivors say that once treatment ended, it was hard to make a transition to a new way of life. border:none; border:none; 3. Find out what's normal and what indicates you should consider getting help. That is why it helps to build a strong support network of family and friends. Registered Office: Fifth Floor, Ibex House, 42-47 Minories, London EC3N 1DY. Mammogram. Find out the different ways we can support you. Adjusting to life after treatment. Denial, guilt, helplessness, anxiety and fear are all normal. font-weight: 700; If an abnormality is detected on a screening mammogram, your doctor may recommend a diagnostic mam… Give hope to others in your situationShare Your Story or Read Others, Susan G. Komen After treatment, he found he had to stop going to the restaurant because it reminded him of treatment and made him "sick to his stomach." Up your fiber intake. Living Beyond Breast Cancer. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. While there is happiness and relief that come with the end of treatment, survivors may also feel fear and anxiety. padding: 20px 35px 20px 10px; I didn’t know what else to say. #backtotop{ Last year, Susan G. Komen®’s community grants provided treatment assistance to more than 30,000 families impacted by breast cancer. 6. Whether you enroll in a research study, serve as an advisor, or volunteer for an advocacy group, you can make a difference. Although breast cancer often has a negative impact on quality of life, it may also trigger a positive change in your outlook [19]. }. The Cancer journal study found, for instance, that breast cancer survivors who received ACT therapy for six weeks reported less anxiety and depression and a better quality of life six months after treatment than a control group. You can have emotional and social effects as well as physical effects after receiving this diagnosis. background: url('https://breastcancernow.org/sites/all/themes/bcc/images/arrow-up.jpg') no-repeat right center; }. By Elaine K. Howley , Contributor June 20, 2017 Anxiety and stress background-color: #ed8b00; For some, meeting with other people who are in a similar … Coping With Depression and Anxiety as a Breast Cancer Patient A breast cancer diagnosis and treatment may impact your mental health. 7. Some may be temporary, and others may last a lifetime. Not only is Hester an experienced oncology social worker, she unfortunately is also a woman who has experienced breast cancer first hand. Find out more about coping with low mood and depression. You can also order our 'Moving forward' pack today. You don’t want to talk about it all the time but during those initial months after the end of your treatment it is never very far from your mind. Others prefer counseling in a group setting. You may feel: You might feel that you should be able to move on with your life, but instead you’re still experiencing many different emotions. Fear of recurrence is normal and often lessens over time. Find out how to adjust to physical and emotional changes, deal with common family issues, and plan for follow-up care after treatment. 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. padding: 20px 35px 20px 10px; Supportive relatives, friends and colleagues are a great help. Social support may also improve quality of life for breast cancer survivors [ 17-19 ]. float: right; Some people prefer one-on-one counseling. Some people feel they must keep putting on a brave face for family, friends and even for the doctors and nurses looking after them. You have to cope with the emotional strain of the diagnosis and the challenges of treatment, as well as the stresses of daily life. Screening vs. … On the other side, loved ones are afraid of upsetting you by talking about the end of life issues—so they say nothing. border:none; Cancer has also changed how I view everything and everybody. You may feel determined not to let the cancer take over your life. Your sexuality and how attractive you feel may also have been affected by breast surgery or menopausal symptoms caused by treatment. For some, meeting with other people who are in a similar situation can help to reduce feelings of anxiety, isolation or fear. 5. Life gets complicated in so many ways when you are a caregiver to someone with cancer. Dallas, TX 75380, helpline@komen.org background: url('https://breastcancernow.org/sites/all/themes/bcc/images/arrow-up.jpg') no-repeat right center; 12:58, May 13 2014 ... As a study day it will focus on moving forward with life beyond treatment for breast cancer, organisers said. font-weight: 700; Be receptive. Make time to share your feelings with others. 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. The list of changes is endless, and there are a lot of negative impacts that remain, but some are more positive. hr{color: #ed8b00; Even though your diagnosis may be similar to another person’s, the way breast cancer impacts your life is unique. border:none; height: 1px; float: right; By topic. Cancer survivors: Managing your emotions after cancer treatment Get to know the emotions that are common for cancer survivors and how to manage your feelings. font-weight: 700; Your doctor will check both of your breasts and lymph nodes in your armpit, feeling for any lumps or other abnormalities. Breast exam. background-color: #ed8b00; A diagnosis of breast cancer can have many different emotional effects. Often they will be able to spend time with you, helping you understand your options and supporting you. It can be hard to plan for or cope with side effects since they vary from person to person. Researchers are looking at ways breast cancer survivors can improve quality of life long-term. Finding it difficult to work and maintain relationships can add to the feelings of loss you’re experiencing. Talking to women with breast cancer and joining a support group can help you cope and deal with your breast cancer experience. The numbness stayed for weeks. font-weight: 700; Whatever your initial feelings, you’ll probably go on to experience many different emotions. height: 1px; 2. Who to talk to height: 1px; height: 1px; This may help you to talk to them about how you are feeling, Talking to someone else who has been through similar experiences may help you feel less isolated and learn how to cope better, life has changed and you’ve lost your identity. How you might feel Breast Cancer Now is a company limited by guarantee registered in England (9347608) and a charity registered in England and Wales (1160558), Scotland (SC045584) and Isle of Man (1200). border:none; Learn more about the benefits of exercise and social support. 8. hr{color: #ed8b00; I feel that the author is having a conversation with me. Researchers are looking at ways breast cancer survivors can improve quality of life long-term. Breast cancer is a life-threatening disease that requires rigorous treatment. font-weight: 700; Tips: Coping with fear of cancer returning. Keep a positive attitude. Living & Managing. My first response was to turn to my husband and say “I am sorry!”. Others prefer to let their feelings show and draw strength and support from people close to them. The song says \"It ain't over 'til it's over,\" but when you've had breast cancer, you discover that it's not even over when it's over. 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