BREAST CANCER: COPING with Makes You Feel Most Comfortable

800-813-HOPE (4673) [email protected] www.cancercare.org fact sheet YOUR CHANGINGFEELINGS BREAST CANCER: COPING WITH makes you feel most comfortable. differenttry solutions until you findwhat yourself timeto adjust to changes, and as breast prostheses andwigs. Give learn aboutoptionsavailable, such changes inyour physical appearance, surgery orare experiencing hairloss and or chemotherapy. Ifyou hadbreast their appearance after having surgery Many women feel uncomfortable with Take steps tolookandfeel your best. and friendsthatthey are beinghelpful. frustration andreassures your family to help. This approach cuts down on appointment?” gives peopleaclear way “Can you please drive meto my next shop for groceries thisweek,” or like, “It would behelpful ifyou could support you need. Saying something others, bespecificaboutthekind of Be specific. that person achance to grow. you. You also give your relationship with give thatperson achance to support whom you love whatyou’re feeling, you care aboutyou. When you tell someone can comfort you andthepeoplewho your emotionsmightbehard, butit Share your feelings WITH BREAST CANCER: EMOTIONS THAT MAY COME UP DIFFICULTCOPING WITHTHE FORSOME TIPS HERE ARE have toface alone. these are challenges you donot and responsibilities. Fortunately, to manage your usualactivities relationships ormake itdifficult may also affect your personal body. The demandsof treatment feel aboutyourself andyour the way you lookandhow you example, treatments may change you in many different ways. For Having breast cancer affects When reaching outto . Talkingabout

do, how to act, andwhatyou need. waiting for your signalto know whatto know. Your partner ismost likely physically intimate –letyour partner or ifyou are notyet interested in being you feel aneedfor physical affection, Whatever your needsare –whether or worry thatyour partner isfeeling. body, andtalkaboutwhatyou think need. about thephysical closeness you Talk toyour spouse orpartner deserves to feel loved andcared for. with your partner orspouse. Everyone such aschoosing to remain close partner. You can make otherchoices, distance herself emotionallyfrom her needs. For example, awoman may care of theiremotionalandphysical feel so different thatthey stop taking to complex emotions. Some women with herpartner orspouse, give rise undressing, bathing, orbeingintimate regular activities, suchasdressing, mastectomy, awoman may findthat cared for. Let yourself feel loved and Share how you feel aboutyour After alumpectomy or (over) Discuss your concerns with your health care team. If you feel you have lost the desire to be physically intimate, bring it up with your doctor or nurse. These health care professionals can help you understand physical changes that may be causing these feelings. They can also suggest ways to increase your interest in physical intimacy and make appropriate referrals if needed. Get help for lymphedema. Lymphedema is a painful swelling, usually in an arm or leg, which happens when the body’s lymphatic fluid fails to circulate properly and builds up in the soft tissue instead. There are several ways to manage GET EMOTIONAL SUPPORT lymphedema. Your doctor or nurse can give you Your team of doctors, nurses and social tips to prevent and reduce the swelling. workers are valuable sources of support as Learn more about breast cancer. Having you cope with a cancer diagnosis. Oncology accurate information helps you to make the social workers are licensed professionals choices that are right for you. Turn to trustworthy who counsel people affected by cancer, sources for reliable information about breast providing emotional support and helping cancer. The National Cancer Information Service people access practical assistance. (1-800-4-CANCER) is an excellent source of CancerCare’s oncology social workers medical information. So are CancerCare’s provide individual counseling, support publications and Connect Education Workshops, groups and locate services face-to-face, which provide the latest cancer information from online or on the telephone, free of charge. To leading experts. learn more, visit www.cancercare.org or call 800-813-HOPE (4673). CancerCare® Can Help Founded in 1944, CancerCare is the leading national organization providing free support services and information to help people manage the emotional, practical and financial challenges of cancer. Our comprehensive services include counseling and support groups over the phone, online and in-person, educational workshops, publications and financial and co-payment assistance. All CancerCare services are provided by professional oncology social workers and world- leading cancer experts.

To learn more, visit www.cancercare.org or call 800-813-HOPE (4673).

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