About Breast Cancer
Living with Breast Cancer
To ensure continued health and support of the patient, breast cancer care continues after breast cancer treatment and includes not only medical checks but continued emotional and social support as well.
Medical Care
Everyone who has had treatment for breast cancer should continue to see a doctor, at least once a year for the rest of their lives. Canadian treatment centres suggest visits every six months for a period of two to five years after surgery. The individual needs of the patient will of course determine if more frequent care is needed. The purpose of continued medical care is to receive ongoing support, to establish current health status and to detect new problems early on.
Follow up medical care is usually done by the specialist(s) whom a patient has seen throughout their diagnosis and treatment. This can be the surgeon, the medical oncologist or radiation oncologist. Together, they coordinate care and should keep the patient informed about the next treatment steps, and which specialist is responsible for performing the treatment.
Breast cancer patients may experience some pain after treatment. In many cases it is temporary and does not mean the cancer has returned. It could be due to the chemotherapy, radiation, a side effect of an anticancer drug, or it could have nothing at all to do with the treatment. It could also be because the cancer has returned. As mentioned before, persistent pain should certainly be reported to a doctor, who may prescribe simple pain relievers, or stronger drugs if necessary.
Patients do not need to have periodic tests to see if cancer exists elsewhere. The only regular test needed is a mammogram. Cancer can turn up in the same breast or in the other breast. Like the first detection of breast cancer, the sooner it is detected, the better the chance of remission.
Emotional and Social Support
Emotional and social support is equally as important after breast cancer treatment as before or during treatment. Throughout the experience, a woman may feel an impact to her sense of self, her self image and her female identity. Maintaining good, open relationships with friends, family and the healthcare team is essential, as is staying positive. Patients should try their best to accept help from friends and family, as they will want to extend a helping hand or a friendly smile. It also helps to educate them on what breast cancer is and how it affects the patient so they know how to best assist in the recovery.
Thoughts of breast cancer do not have to be avoided, but anything the patient can do to refresh themselves mentally, spiritually or physically will go a long way in dealing with breast cancer. As for dealing head-on with the disease and the experience, the patient can continue to read up on treatment options and new information so they are informed and feel secure in their knowledge of breast cancer news.
It is very important for patients to talk openly with health care specialists about whatever is troubling them, and keep the good relationship up. They will help facilitate whatever care is needed.
Exercise After Breast Surgery
Exercise is valuable after breast cancer surgery, to regain full motion and to discourage swelling (lymphedema) that sometimes occurs. Patients should be sure to consult a doctor before beginning any exercise plan. Any exercises should be within the patient’s capabilities and be geared toward their type of surgery.
Here are some recommended exercises:
Play Soft Ball
Hold a soft rubber ball or a “nerf” ball in the palm of your hand and squeeze gently, then relax.
Hair Brushing
Sit beside a night table and rest your elbow (on the operated side) on a few books. Comb and brush your hair, keeping your head erect. Start with just one side. As you get stronger, release your arm from its resting position and work the brush all around your head.
Have a Seat
Sit on a stool that is low enough so that your feet lay firmly on the floor. Sit evenly on both hips with your back straight, shoulders level, head up and chin in.
Shrug It Off
Bring your shoulders up towards your ears, pull your shoulder blades together at the back, and then drop your shoulders and relax.
Arms Up
Clasp your hands in front of you and straighten your elbows. Then lift your arms as high as possible above your head, stretch and then lower slowly again.
Rope Round
Tie a long rope to a doorknob with a double knot. Facing the door, stand four feet away, with your hand on your hip and stretch your arm forward on your operated side. Turn the rope in a small circle at first and gradually work it into larger circles, as wide as you can manage.
Credits
The information on these "About Breast Cancer" pages has been reproduced from the Toronto 2007 Handbook and Calendar and www.endcancer.ca website with kind permission from the Weekend To END BREAST CANCER.