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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : February 24, 2015 1:36 PM IST
You or your loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer. What's next? Do you know what to expect? Do you have enough information about the treatments? Well, here are some things to keep in mind.
Julie Gralow of Breast Medical Oncology at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and co-author of 'Breast Fitness' (St. Martin's Press) has offered 10 Tips for Breast Cancer Patients During Treatment:
1. Make a note of all your queries
In order to get the best out of your doctors, bring your questions with you in writing to your appointments. Make informed decisions; learn as much as you can about your diagnosis and treatment.
2. Spend time choosing your doctor
Breast cancer specialists who work at dedicated cancer centres are often better as they offer specific expertise as well as access to the latest treatments that are part of clinical studies. Such centres can provide other specialty services, usually under one roof, such as physical therapy, nutrition and social work.
3. Get all the support you can from loved ones
Breaking the news to your friends and family that you've been diagnosed with breast cancer can be just as difficult as first hearing the news yourself from your doctor. You may feel concerned about upsetting your family and friends or worried about how they will react. Even after you have shared the news, at times you may find it difficult to communicate openly. (Read: Living (and dying) with cancer)
4. Seek financial help, if necessary
Your hospital or clinic should have a social worker or people from certain foundations to help you manage financial issues and deal with private insurance companies.
5. Talk to your doctor about dealing with menopause symptoms
Breast cancer patients who have undergone chemotherapy, ovary removal, or who have had to discontinue hormone replacement therapy upon diagnosis may experience symptoms of menopause. Talk to your doctor about how to safely minimize menopausal symptoms.
6. Don't ignore the importance of a healthy diet
Your cancer treatment may influence your ability to taste and smell, and it may alter your digestion. You may prefer and tolerate more cooked versus raw vegetables, so a vegetable stew or soup may be more appealing than a salad. You may have more energy and less nausea if you eat smaller amounts of foods more frequently rather than eating three big meals per day. Try not to gain weight by overindulging and blowing your calorie budget.
7. Take steps to prevent lymphedema
Lymphedema is a side effect of breast cancer treatment that involves swelling of the soft tissues of the arm, hand or chest wall. It isn't life threatening, but it needs to be treated to avoid getting worse. The swelling may be accompanied by numbness, discomfort and infection. There's no reliable way to assess your risk for lymphedema, but by taking proper precautions you can greatly reduce your chances of developing the condition.
8. Get exercise
Gentle exercise during treatment, such as regular walks, can help with both the mental and physical effects of treatment. After treatment is completed, increasing your exercise gradually will help improve your fatigue and rebuild muscle tone. (Read: Breast cancer causes, symptoms, myths, diagnosis, treatment)
9. Take care of your bones
Keeping your bones healthy throughout your life is important; however, if you''re a woman who's been diagnosed with breast cancer, bone health is especially important. Research shows that some breast cancer treatments can lead to bone loss.
10. Juggling work and treatment
Some people are able to work throughout their cancer treatment. Yet for some, reducing one's work capacity or taking a break altogether may be necessary. If you take time off and then return to work shortly after your treatment ends, you may find that it helps you maintain your identity and even boosts your self-esteem, not to mention your income.
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
With inputs from ANI
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