Living in Pink: The Emotional Challenges of Breast Cancer

Living in Pink The Emotional Challenges of Breast Cancer

By: Kaitlyn Jaeger

Living in Pink The Emotional Challenges of Breast Cancer

1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime

American Cancer Society

For those women,For those women, being diagnosed with breast cancer can be an emotional

experience.

Some of the emotions they may experience include:

American Cancer Society

ANXIETY FEAR PANIC

SADNESS GUILT DEPRESSION

And they aren’t alone...

Breast Cancer affects

EVERYONE in their lives.

Brown (2007)

Emotional stress can be caused

by:

LIVESTRONG

Job Concerns

Physical Side Effects

An Uncertain Future

Relationships

Financial Concerns

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Having breast cancer can be overwhelming, but there are things you

can do to help overcome or reduce emotional stress.

Keep a Positive Attitude

Motivating yourself to think positively can be

difficult, but having a positive attitude can

actually give your immune system a boost.

Take time out of each day to do something

nice for yourself and try practicing

mind-over-matter techniques.

Brown (2007)

Be Open about Your Feelings

Many breast cancer patients have found that

building a support network can be a great

way of dealing with emotions.

Try to find someone you can talk to about

your feelings, concerns, and any decisions

you may need to make. They can be friends,

family members, counselors, members of a

support, etc.

clevelandclinic.org, mskcc.org

I feel...

Exercise RegularlyWith breast cancer, there are a lot of things that you can’t

control, but you can control how often you exercise.

Studies have shown the regular exercise tends to help women

cope and function at higher levels than those who don’t.

One of its many beneficial effects is that exercise releases

natural endorphins that effect brain chemistry, neurotransmitter

levels, and mood. These endorphins can provide a sense of

well-being and pleasure.

Link (2002)

Eat Well-Balanced Meals

Your diet is another area that you have control over.

Eating a well-balanced diet, along with exercise, can

actually help reduce the risk of developing cancer or the

chance of cancer spreading. However, don’t think that it is

meant to be a replacement for treatment.

Talk to your physician or nutritionist about setting up a diet

plan that compliments your needs as a breast cancer

patient.The US Oncology Network

It is important to try and get a good night’s

sleep because it may determine how well your

body fights off cancer.

Quality sleep can effect:

Cancer-related fatigue

How well you deal with pain and other

stressors

The effectiveness of chemotherapy

Get Plenty of Sleep

Fusion Sleep

Z Z Z

Learn to RelaxBreast cancer can be overwhelming, but it’s important to

keep calm and try to relax.

There are a number of exercises that you can do to help you

relax. These include two-minute, mind, and deep breathing

relaxation exercises.

When performing these exercises, find a quiet place away

from any distractions that is comfortable and that will put

you in good state of mind.

BreastCancer.orgclevelandclinic.org

Link (2002)

For those women,

“The most powerful tool that you have in the fight to manage this crisis is your ability to think and feel...you will begin to move again, and when you do, it is important to remember that you have the final word with breast cancer - you will decide the place this disease will assume in your life, while in treatment and beyond.” - John Link, M.D.

References

American Cancer Society (2012). What is distress. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/emo-

tionalsideeffects/distressinpeoplewithcancer/distress-in-people-with-cancer-what-is-distress

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (2012). Emotional Issues. Retrieved from http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/adult/breast/

emotional-issues

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation (2009). Emotional aspects of breast cancer. Retrieved from http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/Breast_Can

cer/hic_Emotional_Aspects_of_Breast_Cancer.aspx

Wood-Moen, R. (2010). Emotional effects of breast cancer. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/162221-emotional-

effects-of-breast-cancer/

Beirut, Julia (2010). Mental effects of breast cancer. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/78853-mental-effects-breast-cancer/

FusionSleep (2012). Sleep and cancer. Retrieved from http://www.fusionsleep.com/sleep-and-your-health/sleep-health-and-illness/

sleep-and-cancer/

The US Oncology Network (2012). How diet & exercise help you fight cancer. Retrieved from http://www.usoncology.com/patients/Your

Journey/ManagingYourTreatment/DietExercise

Link, J. (2002). Take charge of your breast cancer: A guide to getting the best possible treatment. New York: Henry Holt and Company.

Brown, K. & Freeman, H.P. (2007). 100 questions and answers about breast cancer: Second edition. Massachusetts: Jones and

Bartlett Publishers.