It is a devastating diagnosis and unfortunately, twelve percent of all women will hear the news in their lifetime and there is even a small percentage of men who will be diagnosed as well. Breast cancer has become a highly curable form of cancer but it isn’t something anybody wants to deal with. At first, even with the best outcome given the diagnosis is very overwhelming. Over time with the right support and knowledge you will learn how to deal with your cancer diagnosis and move forward with treatment with the ultimate goal in mind: being cured.
Sitting Down With Your Oncologist
When you first receive a diagnosis you will need to make an appointment with an oncologist, who essentially is a doctor that specializes in cancer and the treatment of cancer. Your oncologist will work alongside a number of other medical professionals to give you different treatment options that might include surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.
Surgery
Typically, breast cancer is treated first by performing surgery and removing the cancerous portion of the breast. Sometimes nearby lymph nodes are removed as well. This tissue will be sent to a lab to be tested so your doctors can better understand your cancer. During this time a breast reconstruction surgery may be done or it can be done later on if need be. Depending on the severity of your cancer, the location, whether it has spread or not, this will determine if you need further treatment.
Additional Treatments
When you go through surgery the doctors performing the surgery will get a better understanding of what stage of breast cancer you have. This is determined by where the cancer has spread to. If the cancer has spread and there is the worry that other cancer cells remain in the breast or other parts of the body, radiation might be administered or chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a series of anti-cancer drugs that can be given to a patient by way of an IV or by mouth. Chemo drugs are designed to enter the bloodstream and kill cancer cells wherever they may be in the body. Radiation uses high powered x-rays to kill other cancer cells in a certain area.
Side Effects
Unfortunately, many of the chemotherapy drugs that are used do not know the difference between cancer cells and other cells. Because of this, other parts of the body can be affected. Many people undergoing chemotherapy lose their hair from drugs like Daunorubicin, Taxotere, and Epirubicin. Taxotere permanent hair loss can linger for many years after treatment has ended. Taxotere side effects and other chemotherapy side effects can be devastating and change a person’s life long after they have been cured of cancer. When it comes to radiation, this is often tolerated much better than chemotherapy.
Emotional Support
One of the most important things you can do for yourself while you battle breast cancer is get a great emotional support system going. There are going to be days that you feel like you can’t do it anymore and having people on your side who can help you and cheer you up will give you the motivation you need to keep moving forward. This can be your spouse, your friends and even a therapist who is experienced with cancer patients.
Being diagnosed with breast cancer is never a positive experience but with the right medical team, treatment plan and support, you can overcome this diagnosis and be healthy again.
