Cancer is one of the leading health problem where emotional turmoil is prevalent and breast cancer is not an exception to this.
Whatever the type, cancer is a serious health issue that mostly leads to death in the absence of early diagnosis and treatment. And same is true for breast cancer also.
Therefore, emotional reactions are common in the form of feelings of fear, uneasiness, helplessness, guilt, desperation and being abandoned. Many women fail to acknowledge the situation and even lose the temper.
In the event of breast cancer, emotional challenges impair adjustment capabilities, social functioning and quality of life of the patient. Moreover, emotional problems has the potential to affect course of disease, adherence to and success of therapy and survival rate. This further increase the duration of hospitalization and treatment cost.
Breast cancer is one of the most common type of cancer globally in women. It poses a direct threat to an organ that symbolizes femininity. The diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer affects physical, psychological and social aspects of everyday life. The psychological impact is widespread at diagnosis, during treatment and along survivorship.
Being diagnosed with life-threatening disease, such as breast cancer, interfere with life plans. Getting diagnose with cancer is a massive shock and change your life forever.
Living with cancer is an emotional rollercoaster
Various breast cancer treatment modalities, including chemotherapy, endocrine therapy and surgical procedures often affect the emotional status and quality of life of patient.
In this sense, initial behavior reactions are usually related to treatment related pain and fear of death. The subsequent reactions are about loss of breast due to surgical removal. Loss of breast is mostly perceived as a loss of attractiveness, fertility and femininity. It has significant impact on life purposes, career, marriage, motherhood and family.
The issue is worst in young women (40 years old or younger at diagnosis) with other age-specific concerns including fertility, body image changes, family roles, childcare issues, professional career and separation from healthy peers.
Young breast cancer survivor reported greater fear related to death, lack of supportive care, financial constraints, and physical unwell. This subsequently affect family and social relationships.
Furthermore, perceiving cancer as aggressive illness , young women exhibited more depression and anxiety symptoms in response to stressful life event, fear of recurrence, increased fatigue, and poor social support.
Breast cancer treatment may cause premature ovarian failure, therefore rise the risk of infertility. Concerns regarding fertility and future pregnancies are common in younger patient with breast cancer.
The body image is altered by loss of breasts, hairs, presence of surgical scar, and weight changes.
Patient who underwent a surgical procedure usually feel deformed, mutilated, asymmetrical, less feminine, less attractive, have a diminished personal value and tend to avoid looking at themselves. Attack on body image means threat to self-esteem, creating new insecurities and exacerbating old.
Everything revolve around health. Frequent hospital visits, cycles of chemotherapy, pain of surgery, radiation exposure, management of treatment related side-effects, tests after tests and needles after needles…everything seems traumatic. The experience is tiring, painful and torturous.
There is fear factor — Am I going to die? Will people reject me?
As you see breast cancer is an important cause of emotional and behavioral reaction, it is important to overcome emotional challenges at earliest. Therefore, adopting strategies to address such issues in timely manner is important.
Incorporating emotional wellness
Every cancer is not a death sentence. Assume the best and try to live good and productive life. Maintain your normal daily routine as much as possible. Try to set a reality in a positive manner.
Get aware about your disease by reading as much as possible about breast cancer. Discuss with your doctor about better treatment plans. Be a part of active decision-making process.
Your attitude can make a huge difference. If the breast cancer is diagnosed at early stages, there is high likelihood of cure. Even in later stages, breast cancer is treatable and survivors are living longer.
Ask help and support from family and friends when needed. You need your tribe to survive anything like this.
Self-care in the form of physical exercise, yoga, mindfulness, healthy eating significantly improve health related quality of life.
Quality of life in breast cancer patients improved greatly during recent years with simple but effective psychological interventions. Psychological interventions in the form of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) are effective in improving psychological health especially among survivors. As survivors, you should remember that there is long life after breast cancer and improving its quality is solely your responsibility.
Disclaimer
Mediclin Brain Health’s content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
