Changes After a Mastectomy

Undergoing breast cancer treatment can bring a lot of changes to your body.

One such treatment is a mastectomy which is the surgical removal of the breast. Depending on the surgery type, patients may have a complete, modified, radical, skin-sparing, or nipple-sparing mastectomy.

Patients might find it challenging to look at their bodies after the operation when this happens. In most cases, the breast area is likely to be bruised and swollen but will eventually improve.

While some women may not feel different after surgery, others do. The latter may find it difficult to accept their new body, which can affect their confidence and self-esteem. Some may even feel "incomplete" because they are self-conscious.

Fortunately, research says that people who confront the physical changes in their bodies sooner are more likely to find it easier to regain their confidence. If you need some help with getting used to your new body, here are some tips:

1. Stand in front of the full-length mirror, fully clothed. Name three physical traits you like about yourself.

2. Do the same exercise but this time wear your underwear. It may need time to get used to, but the point is to look at yourself neutrally—with zero judgment and expectations.

3. Try the same exercise but stand naked. Describe what you see and ask yourself why you feel awkward or uncomfortable.

4. Touch your scars or get used to the feel of your body. You have survived treatment. The scars are living proof you have made it despite the struggles. Your body may differ, but you are still alive, which is most important.

5. Talk to your doctor about possible breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy may help women adjust to changes in their bodies faster. 

If you believe this is your best option, talk to your doctor about the procedure. Remember, however, that reconstructing cannot bring back the sensations of your breast and nipple, but they do help.

Takeaway: Getting used to a "new" body after a mastectomy can be challenging for some. However, these scars prove that you've become a survivor and still have hope for the future. If you need help and support, contact your doctor or join a breast cancer support group.

What To Do After Beating Breast Cancer

Being a cancer survivor changes you—both physically and emotionally. When your treatment ends and your support group return to a more typical life, you may feel a combination of complex emotions.

Some of these emotions you feel may be fear that cancer may come back, sadness that you won't see much of the healthcare team who cared for you, joy with beating the beast, and anxiety of the unknown future.

Whatever you're feeling, it's completely normal. After all, you don't endure cancer treatment, beat cancer, and return to your regular routine like never before.

If you are feeling confused about what to do next, here are some things you may need to do even after beating cancer:

1. Care for your body.

It's essential to keep yourself healthy. This step means having a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables, having a regular exercise routine, and making sure you have a steady sleep schedule. While these are simple steps, keeping yourself consistently healthy helps keep your body in tip-top shape.

2. Go to all your follow-up appointments.

Even if you worry about the future or feel reluctant, you must go through your follow-up appointments. You can use this time with your healthcare provider to ask any questions and ask for help like therapy or support groups.

3. Be open about your emotions.

If you decide to go to therapy or join a support group, it helps to be honest with your thoughts and feelings. Keeping your feelings inside can be a source of stress and can lead to depression or other issues.

However, suppose you're not ready for therapy or to join a support group. In that case, you can start journaling or pick up other creative outlets to express your emotions honestly.

4. Keep yourself busy.

Sometimes we get too stuck in our heads that we forget to look at the world around us. One way to pull ourselves out of a negative funk is to keep ourselves busy, whether it's through creative projects, going for a walk in the park, or meeting up with friends.

Takeaway: Surviving breast cancer is a feat that should be celebrated. However, feeling conflicting feelings is also expected because a person may worry that cancer will return. Fortunately, you can manage these fears and anxieties by caring for yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually.

The Importance of Early Screening For Breast Cancer

According to Mayo Clinic, breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women in the United States and the most common cancer worldwide. Considering the cancer crisis on a global scale, we all must take the necessary precautions to secure our health.

Fortunately, many ways exist to reduce one's risk of breast cancer. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and choosing the proper birth control are steps we can take as early as today. Additionally, people undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may need to be cautious and ask their doctor about the possible associated risks. If you have a family history, you must be more careful than others.

Another way to ensure we stay risk-free is to schedule regular mammograms. A mammogram is a breast X-ray that doctors use to detect signs of breast cancer in an early stage. Both men and women should have periodic mammograms. However, experts recommend that men and women get annual exams by age 40. While it's uncommon for men to get mammograms, a doctor may recommend it if a person has a genetic mutation that increases their likelihood of the condition.

Breast cancer screening is imperative because it detects early signs of breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, early detection of breast cancer, which doesn't spread, helps increase a person's survival rate to a whopping 99%! This news is incredibly hopeful because it gives people a chance to take charge of their health and live through the condition with hope. Considering that we're in a time of faster developments in modern medicine, people have a higher survival rate than ever.

If you need help scheduling a mammogram, you may want to consider asking your doctor when you can start taking regular annual mammograms. If you have a family history of members who had breast cancer, you may also need to ask your doctor how to reduce your risks. Remember, health is wealth, so never leave your health to chance!

Educating Kids About Cancer With Stories

Receiving a cancer diagnosis as an adult can be an overwhelming and shocking experience. The first thing that most people tend to do after the shock wears off is wonder how they will break the news to their loved ones, especially their children.

There are many reasons why talking to children about cancer is challenging. One reason is that cancer is a complex condition with no definite prognosis. Another is that, as adults, we're expected to handle things rationally instead of emotionally to avoid instilling fear in children.

However, children are a lot more perceptive than we give them credit. Even if we don't outright say we're worried or bothered, they can pick up on our feelings and wonder if they can do anything about it.

When this happens, it helps to be honest with the child. Being truthful can be painful, but it also lets the child know you trust them.

Nevertheless, it's also essential to remember that you must communicate in a way a child can understand. This step means avoiding overly complicated terms, getting to the point, and being patient when they ask questions or share their concerns.

Another way to help children understand the nature of cancer is through books and stories. For example, one book, "Jeannie Ann's Grandma Has Breast Cancer," tells the story of a six-year-old girl who quickly learns her grandmother has breast cancer. The story brings up fears, questions, and misunderstandings from facing a medical challenge. With her family by her side, Jeannie Ann quickly learns what cancer can bring and why listening to our loved ones matter.

If you're trying to explain the nature of the disease to a child, consider educating them through stories instead. Once you read through the illustrated pages, you can ask your little one how they feel about the story and what questions they may have, and listen to their thoughts and feelings.

Repurposed Leukemia Drug May Help Prevent Secondary Breast

Secondary breast cancer is a severe occurs when a person's breast cancer has spread to other body parts. These places may include organs like the lungs, brain, and even one's bones.

The reason why secondary breast cancer is so severe is that it is incurable. At best, this diagnosis can be managed by reliving its symptoms and ensuring a person's quality of life stays constant. Fortunately, many patients with this diagnosis can still live fulfilling lives.

However, there is news that scientists are working to find a treatment course for secondary breast cancer. One of which involves using a drug for leukemia.

According to News Scientist, a repurposed drug used to treat leukemia shows promising results in treating secondary breast cancer.

Imatinib is widely prescribed to people who have chronic myeloid leukemia. In an experiment led by Frances Turell at the Institute of Cancer Research in the UK, administering Imatinib to mice with estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer slows down the growth rate of secondary tumors.

ER+ breast cancer is the most common type of breast cancer diagnosed. During experimentation, the effect of administering Imatinib helped prevent secondary breast cancer cells from spreading to other parts of the body.

Considering that secondary breast cancer is incurable, finding possible prevention of breast cancer cells spreading is a milestone that offers a lot of hope.

However, because it's in the initial stages of research, there is no telling whether this drug may be effective for human use.

It's also important to note that Imatinib has uncomfortable side effects like stomach and fatigue, making it a risk for a few. Still, there is hope, and as long as researchers continue to make progress, patients may finally have more options for treatment.

While there is little information on whether Imatinib may be a potential drug for breast cancer treatment, modern medicine is clearly on the path of finding newer and innovative ways to treat breast cancer.

- by Diane Davies, author, Jeannie Ann's Grandma Has Breast Cancer

Ways to Cope Emotionally After Receiving a Cancer Diagnosis

Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be an experience that changes a person's entire perspective and future. Once someone receives such heavy news, the person's emotions may range from disbelief, shock, anger, overwhelming sadness, denial, regret, and, hopefully, acceptance.

However, before reaching the "acceptance" stage, one must understand that one needs time to process these emotions at their own pace. Here are some tips for coping after receiving a cancer diagnosis:

1. Take Time to Process Your Emotions.

Allow yourself to feel your emotions without suppression or denial. When a person welcomes emotion without hesitation, dealing with it one feeling at a time becomes more manageable and less overwhelming.

2. Try to Learn More About Your Condition.

It may sound strange to learn more about cancer the minute you get the news. However, on a logical note, learning about one's condition can help someone slowly accept reality once the person understands what to expect in the future.

3. Get Some Time to Be Alone.

Sometimes, it helps to be alone and process one's emotions without distraction. However, it's also crucial to remember that one should never isolate themselves from their loved ones.

4. Share Your Feelings Honestly to Whoever or Whatever You Trust

Once one has accepted the reality of the situation, it may help to share these emotions with someone or something. Sharing one's fears and worries with their spouse, friends, or journal can help ease the burden one may unconsciously carry.

Bottomline: Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be devastating. However, it helps to remember that one still has a fighting chance for a long and healthy life. While it's natural to be fearful and anxious, remember that these are just feelings, not truths. If you're struggling with these emotions, please get in touch with your healthcare provider for adequate treatment asap.

- by Diane Davies, author, Jeannie Ann's Grandma Has Breast Cancer

Reasons to Join a Cancer Support Group

A cancer diagnosis is a life-changing event for any person. As much as possible, doctors and health experts recommend that patients be given holistic care as they undergo treatment.

Holistic care is a treatment course based on the understanding that a patient has physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. While medications and physical treatments are essential, healthcare providers must also meet the patient's psychological and spiritual needs.

One way to meet a patient's emotional needs is by joining support groups. Many modern healthcare centers offer support groups for people in various situations or conditions, like a cancer support group.

Joining a cancer support group can be a great way to meet a patient's emotional needs. Here are some reasons why that may be so:

1. It allows people to share their feelings and experiences in a non-judgmental environment. A few people don't feel comfortable showing their vulnerabilities and fears to their family and friends. However, many participants are encouraged to do so in a support group because most encourage a judgment-free environment.

2. People can help others by providing company as encouragement. One of the best parts of joining a cancer support group is knowing everyone comes together for a common purpose. Whether it's sharing feelings about their diagnosis, talking about their recent chemo session, or just everyday idle chat—it's comforting to know that one is in the company of people who are also going through the same thing.

3. It reminds people that they are not alone. Joining a support group can be a great way to meet a person's emotional needs because it eases their anxiety. People who just received a cancer diagnosis may feel the need to isolate or withdraw from society. However, by joining an encouraging group, said person will always be reminded that they are not alone.

- by Diane Davies, author, Jeannie Ann's Grandma Has Breast Cancer