Living with Breast Cancer 

Breast cancer can affect your daily life in different ways, depending on what stage it’s at and what treatment you’re having.

How women cope with their diagnosis and treatment varies from person to person. There are several forms of support if you need it. Not all of them work for everybody, but one or more of them should help. You could:Living with Breast Cancer

  • Talk to your friends and family; they can be a powerful support system
  • Communicate with other people in the same situation
  • Find out as much as possible about your condition
  • Avoid doing too much or overexerting yourself
  • Make time for yourself

Recovery
Most women with breast cancer have an operation as part of their treatment. Getting back to normal after surgery can take some time. It’s important to take things slowly and give yourself time to recover.

During this time, avoid lifting things – for example, children or heavy shopping bags – and avoid heavy housework. You may also be advised not to drive.

Some other treatments, particularly radiotherapy and chemotherapy, can make you very tired. You may need to take a break from some of your normal activities for a while. Don’t be afraid to ask for practical help from family and friends.

Follow-up
After your treatment has finished, you’ll be invited for regular check-ups, usually every three months for the first year.

If you’ve had early breast cancer, your healthcare team will agree a care plan with you after your treatment has finished. This plan contains the details of your follow-up. You will receive a copy of the plan, which will also be sent to your doctor.

During the check-up, your doctor will examine you and may carry out blood tests or X-rays to see how your cancer is responding to treatment. You should also be offered a mammogram every year for the first five years after your treatment.

Long-Term Complications
Although it’s rare, your treatment for breast cancer may cause new problems, such as:

  • Pain and stiffness in your arms and shoulders may occur after surgery, and the skin in these areas may be tight
    lymphoedema (a build-up of excess lymph fluid which causes swelling) – this may occur if surgery or radiotherapy damages the lymphatic drainage system in the armpit

Talk to your healthcare team if you experience these or any other long-term effects of treatment.

Dealing with Changes to Your Body
A diagnosis of breast cancer may change how you think about your body. All women react differently to the bodily changes that happen as a result of breast cancer treatment. Some women react positively, but others find it more difficult to cope. It’s important to give yourself time to come to terms with any changes to your body.

Early Menopause
Although most cases of breast cancer occur in women over 50 who gave experienced the menopause, some younger women have to cope with an early menopause brought on by cancer treatment.
Symptoms can include hot flushes, vaginal dryness and loss of sexual desire. Talk to your healthcare team about any symptoms you have and they’ll be able to help.

Prosthesis
A breast prosthesis is an artificial breast, which can be worn inside your bra to replace the breast that’s been removed.
Soon after a mastectomy, you’ll be given a lightweight foam breast to wear until the area affected by surgery or radiotherapy has healed. After it’s healed, you’ll be offered a silicone prosthesis. Prostheses come in many different shapes and sizes, and you should be able to find one that suits you.

Reconstruction
If you didn’t have immediate breast reconstruction (carried out at the time of a mastectomy), you can have reconstruction later. This is called a delayed reconstruction.
There are two main methods of breast reconstruction – reconstruction using your own tissue and reconstruction using an implant. The type that’s most suitable for you will depend on many factors, including the treatment you’ve had, any ongoing treatment and the size of your breasts. Talk to your healthcare team about which reconstruction is suitable for you.

Read More ON:
Breast Lumps
Causes of Breast Lumps
Diagnosing Breast Lump
Treating Breast Lump
Breast Cancer
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Symptoms of Breast Cancer in Men
Causes of Breast Cancer
Diagnosing Breast Cancer
Treating Breast Cancer
Preventing Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Screening

Source: NHS UK

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cancer-of-the-breast-female/Pages/Living-with.aspx