Breast cancer isn’t a rare or uncommon disease. It is actually the most common kind of cancer among women. That being said, it’s important for you to know that there are proper ways to deal with having breast cancer. This article covers tips on how to do that and what you need to do to prepare yourself for this kind of situation.
1. Do the research on breast cancer
Whether you are aware of it or not, having breast cancer means that your life is going to change in a big way. You have no choice but to adjust yourself to the idea that you will have to survive with this condition for several years. To do that, you need proper guidance and information about what is happening to your body right now, what options are available for you, and how you can deal with the changes in the future. The best thing that you can do for yourself is to make sure that you understand everything there is about breast cancer. This way, when it’s time for your doctor appointments, breast cancer surgery, consultations with other medical experts, etc., you would be able to ask them relevant questions related to your concerns instead of feeling lost and confused. Doing the research on breast cancer by yourself or with the help of other people who are also dealing with this condition will give you a better idea of what you’re up against. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to effectively plan out your game plan for dealing with this disease.
2. Take care of yourself physically and emotionally
Breast cancer can be a life-altering experience. As things are going to change, it’s important for you to understand that you have to take care of yourself physically and emotionally as well. In other words, if you want to get better from this condition, then it is crucial that you address the physical changes happening in your body as well as your emotional reactions. These usually happen together, so you should not ignore one just because the other is there. Some ways through which you can do these are eating healthy and exercising regularly, seeing a therapist or counselor talk about your feelings and emotions without holding them in, talking to friends and family members about what you’re feeling because it’s an excellent way to stay connected with people who care for you. Exercise can produce hormones that can uplift your mood and help you feel better. Breast cancer is more than just physical pain for so many people. Many women who are diagnosed with breast cancer also experience some form of emotional trauma because of it, especially if they had to go through mastectomies or other similar procedures, so counseling and therapy is a great option.
3. Attend cancer support groups
Aside from talking to your family and friends, attending cancer support groups is a great way for you to connect with other breast cancer patients as well as people who care about them. You’ll be able to talk to people who are dealing with the same condition that you’re going through right now and understand what they’re going through and how they feel. Cancer support groups are also open to family members and friends of people dealing with cancer, so you can talk to them as well. Support groups for medical conditions like breast cancer are great because they provide peer support for those who are dealing with the condition. You will find that it’s easier to be around other people who have gone through the same thing that you’re going through right now than being alone all the time. Knowing that there are other people out there who understand what you’re feeling is very encouraging, especially if other forms of support seem unhelpful or inadequate at times.
4. Get a second opinion if you feel like it is needed
When you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, it can be easy to feel like there’s no hope if your doctor tells you things that will change your life. This doesn’t mean that doctors aren’t right when they say these things because sometimes, they are inevitable. After all, doctors do their best in terms of providing the best care and guidance possible to people who need it. However, getting a second opinion if you feel like you need one is a good idea for many reasons. You might just want another person’s perspective or another doctor’s evaluation of your condition and prognosis so that you’ll have an idea about what to do next in terms of treatment options and such. There might be times when the diagnosis isn’t clear either, which makes asking for a second opinion a good idea. After all, the procedures and tests used to diagnose breast cancer these days can be quite complicated, especially if you have both breasts removed as is often the case since it’s easier to treat this condition when breast tissue isn’t there anymore. Getting an evaluation from another professional might just give you some insight as to how advanced your cancer really is so that you’ll know what you’re up against.
5. Use creative outlets to express yourself when you feel the need
While many cancer patients struggle with expressing themselves after being diagnosed, this doesn’t always have to be the case. It may help if you take advantage of any form of creative outlet that you can find such as art, music, writing, and others. There are lots of different things to do in terms of creative outlets, so even if one doesn’t appeal to you or seems unlikely for whatever reason, there’s another one that might suit your taste and personality better. For instance, some people love art and drawing, which is great because this is an excellent way for them to express what they’re feeling without having to put it into words. Some people find it helpful to keep a journal detailing how they feel and what they’re going through and sharing their experience with other people who have had the same condition. Writing stories or poetry about certain thoughts that come to mind can be another great form of creative outlet for those who seek this kind of release from stress, anxiety, and frustration.
Breast cancer is a condition that can be very difficult to deal with, especially if you’re going through it alone. However, there are lots of people out there who have been in your shoes and gone through the same thing, so talking to them might just help you get the support that you need from others instead of going through it all by yourself. Good luck!
Andrea Parker is a reporter for Zobuz. She previously worked at Huffington Post and Vanity Fair. Andrea is based in NYC and covers issues affecting her city. In addition to her severe coffee addiction, she’s a Netflix enthusiast, a red wine drinker, and a voracious reader.
