Emotional Aspects of Breast Cancer

It is important that your focus on tests and treatments does not prevent you from considering your emotional, psychological, and spiritual health as well. Once your treatment ends, you may find yourself overwhelmed by emotions. This happens to a lot of people. You may have been going through so much during treatment that you could only focus on getting through your treatment.

Now you may find that you think about the potential of your own death, or the effect of your cancer on your family, friends, and career. You may also begin to re-evaluate your relationship with your spouse or partner. Unexpected issues may also cause concern -- for instance, as you become healthier and have fewer doctor visits, you will see your health care team less often. That can be a source of anxiety for some.

This is an ideal time to seek out emotional and social support. You need people you can turn to for strength and comfort. Support can come in many forms: family, friends, cancer support groups, church or spiritual groups, online support communities, or individual counselors.

Almost everyone who has been through cancer can benefit from getting some type of support. What's best for you depends on your situation and personality. Some people feel safe in peer-support groups or education groups. Others would rather talk in an informal setting, such as church. Others may feel more at ease talking one-on-one with a trusted friend or counselor. Whatever your source of strength or comfort, make sure you have a place to go with your concerns.

The cancer journey can feel very lonely. It is not necessary or realistic to go it all by yourself. And your friends and family may feel shut out if you decide not include them. Let them in -- and let in anyone else who you feel may help.

Body image: A woman's choice of treatment will likely be influenced by her age, the image she has of herself and her body, and her hopes and fears. For example, some women may select breast-conserving surgery with radiation therapy over a mastectomy for cosmetic and body image reasons. On the other hand, some women who choose mastectomy may want the affected area removed, regardless of the effect on their body image. They may be more concerned about the effects of radiation therapy than body image.

Other issues that women worry about include hair loss from chemotherapy and skin changes of the breast from radiation therapy. In addition to these body changes, women may also be dealing with concerns about the outcome of their treatment. These are all genuine concerns that affect how a woman makes decisions about her treatment, how she views herself, and how she feels about her treatment.