Where To
Look For Support When You Discover You Have Breast Cancer
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Individuals and families are devastated when
a diagnosis of breast cancer is handed down. Breast cancer
is no longer considered a death sentence; it is still a blow
to the patient. For family and friends who love them, it’s
also an emotional time. It is hard to talk about, sometimes
the person who has been diagnosed feels lost and alone. You
may have confusing feelings, fear, and anxiety, worry for
the future.
You may worry about how you will handle your
day-to-day responsibilities, if you will be able to keep
your job, or how you will take care of your children. There
are many worries that will keep you sleepless. Medical
bills are another huge concern. What if you have side
effects from your treatment?
Your first resource should be your health care
provider.
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They can help you find other social service agencies
that can help you with childcare, finances, transportation, and
home care. Your doctor can refer you to an agency that will
provide a social worker to help you with the decisions and
problems you are facing. Often, emotional support is one of the
first things you will look for.
Friends, immediate family, and relatives are also a
source of support. It also may help to discuss your cancer with
others who have gone through the same emotional roller coaster of
breast cancer. Support groups can be found who share what they have
learned about their cancer treatment and the side effects that go with
them. This support group may meet once a week, or once a month, but
they will help you by sharing about their experiences. It is
important to remember, health care advice should come from your
primary care professional and if any other advice is given, it should
be checked out by your doctor. Remember, women are different; the
support that works for one woman may not work for another.
You will find several programs in your local area that
will help you with information and emotional support. They may assign
you a breast cancer survivor to help you through your treatment,
recovery and any reconstruction surgery you may have. It is helpful
to talk to a survivor who has already “been there, done that.”
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Couples may experience anxiety about how
breast cancer will affect their relationship. A woman may
have fears about how they will look after surgery, how
people will react to them, and will their spouse or
significant other still think they are attractive. The
breasts of a woman are considered part of their sexual
appeal. They may fear that breast cancer will make them
less sensual. Couples may find support groups in their area
that will deal directly with their concerns. A doctor may
also recommend a private therapist or counselor to help them
with the many concerns and fears they have.
You can gain support at 1-800-4-cancer and
support is available at
http://www.cancer.gov. Many fact sheets are available
from the National Cancer Institute. You will find other
sites that will give you the latest information on breast
cancer and breast cancer research. |
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