|
Quick Links On Breast Cancer |
Breast Cancer - Hereditary Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Explained
Breast Cancer: What Women Should Know
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast Cancer and Pregnancy
Breast Cancer - Young Women
Breast Cancer: Know Your Risk Factors, the Signs
and Symptoms and What to Do About It
Breast Cancer - Touchable And Unbelievable
Breast Cancer: Steps to Aid in Early Detection
Breast Cancer – Recurrence
|
|
Life After Breast Cancer
Treatment
By Will Hanke |
|
Many women are very uncertain and apprehensive about what
to think, what to say and what to do after breast cancer treatment is
over—at least for the time being—and they have recovered.
From the very first sign of breast cancer—maybe a lump in
the breast discovered by a mammogram—and other symptoms of breast cancer, to
a diagnosis to discussing treatments to receiving treatments and recovery,
it’s been a long and arduous process for most women.
What now?
A big concern on the brain is the ever-looming threat of
breast cancer recurrence. There are ways of preventing breast cancer
recurrence, and many women decide to take tamoxifen after their treatments
to prevent such a recurrence, but the important thing here is to not allow
the fear of breast cancer coming back to haunt you every day.
Other issues have to do with your quality of life
post-breast cancer treatment—managing pain and fatigue, dealing with the
side-effects of treatment and other medications, breast reconstruction,
menopause, sex, fertility and pregnancy, dealing with well-meaning friends,
family members and strangers, and continued health checkups and medical
followups.
Many women who come out of breast cancer treatment get a
new “lease on life” and become health nuts, engage in appropriate amounts of
physical activity, do more volunteer work, work on special projects, devote
more time to family and friends and just generally have a greater zest for
life.
A much more likely scenario for women who have come
through breast cancer treatment, however, is that they will experience a
darker breast cancer recovery period. Some feel like there is always
something to worry about and are afraid of ever having a normal life again.
|
|
|
|
Some women experience strong symptoms of anxiety and
depression, even paranoia or something close to post-traumatic stress
disorder.
It’s helpful for these women to do something for
themselves during this transitional period between breast cancer treatment
and “normalcy.” Many take some time off to just be with the ones they love,
relaxing and resting. Or they take a vacation, for example, with their
husbands and kids, or with a bunch of girlfriends.
Something else to consider is short-term counselling or
therapy. Many women find it helpful to talk it out with a professional after
enduring breast cancer treatments and dealing with the aftermath of
recovering from a major life-threatening illness. Others look for a “support
group” of other breast cancer survivors, and find that to be even more
helpful.
No, life will never again be the same. But that doesn’t
mean it has to be a depressing, fearful or terrible life. It will be
different, but it can be better. It just takes time.
Article Source :
www.womenbrands.com
Stay up to date on information, cures and news at the
Breast Cancer Information Site.
|