Getting diagnosed with any type of cancer holds a major impact on not only physical health but also mental health and many people will notice substantial changes in their emotional well-being. A person’s and their loved ones’ reactions to learning they have breast cancer can be profound, depressive, and anxious, and fearful emotions are frequently experienced. But it’s crucial to keep in mind that there are hope, support, and treatment options for many types of mental illness. You should remember that depression or other mental disorders doesn’t lower the efficacy of the treatment of breast cancer thus it is important to seek help.
Everyone is aware that early detection of breast cancer increases the chances of successful treatment. The same is true for illnesses related to mental health. Unfortunately, many breast cancer patients are never informed of the possibility that they would have a mental health problem like depression and are not given therapy for it.
Breast cancer is a disorder that is developed due to the uncontrolled division of cells of breast tissue. Cell division is a very controlled process of the body and the immune system is responsible for the destruction and removal of abnormal and defective cells. In cancers, the immune system fails to kill the abnormal cells. The type of breast cancer is determined by the type of cell or tissue it develops inside.
The three main parts of a breast include the lobules, ducts, and connective tissues. The lobules produce the milk which is transported to the nipples by the ducts. Connective tissues help in the formation of the organ keeping everything in place. Breast cancer mostly originates from either the ducts or the lobules.
The most prevalent invasive malignancy in women worldwide is breast cancer. Among Asian nations, Pakistan has the highest incidence of breast cancer, with a lifetime chance of one in nine women receiving a diagnosis. Today there are many doctors available who are excelling in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer enabling you to consult the best doctors in Pakistan for your checkup.
Anxiety and depression might be among the range of feelings brought on by a breast cancer diagnosis. There are several reasons why someone with breast cancer might experience occasional depressive symptoms or at the very least, feel in danger of developing such symptoms. Cancer forces people to face the truth of mortality and all of the related anxieties and losses. It has the power to upend your entire universe, disturb your daily routine, and jeopardize the roles, purposes, and objectives that give your life meaning and fulfillment.
Breast cancer treatments may have disabling side effects and, in certain situations, may damage your body permanently. You experience additional emotional distress as a result of the fact that cancer affects not only you but also your loved ones.
Many cancer patients experience depressive periods. Depression lowers your resilience, makes dealing with cancer more difficult overall and may interfere with your ability to adjust in general. It can also weaken your desire to live and erode the bravery, tenacity, and resolve you need to battle cancer and undergo the required medical treatments.
Following are some other ways breast cancer can affect mental well-being;
A vast majority still believe that cancer is an incurable disease. This leads to the development of fear of mortality which can have a very adverse effect on the mental health of a breast cancer patient. It is important to know that breast cancer is fortunately very treatable if spotted early.
There is a substantial lack of knowledge exist around the topic of breast cancer or about cancers in general. Many myths exist about breast cancer which can create a sense of fear and guilt in people with cancer.
The adverse effects of breast cancer treatment can include mood fluctuations, memory loss, Role that you can playand sleeplessness. Changes in hormone levels can affect how you feel, and gaining weight can be demoralizing. While other women feel punished, some women blame themselves. Breast cancer survivors are also prone to PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) which takes them back to the time they were diagnosed with the condition.
The course of cancer treatment itself is painful and can be prolonged according to the condition. The main treatments used for breast cancer include chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Apart from the consequences of these therapies on the health and strength of the body, these can impact the physical aspects too.
Chemotherapy can cause thinning of hair and in many cases can lead to complete loss of hair. It not only affects the hair of the scalp but can cause hair loss of eyelashes and eyebrows as well. Long hair is generally associated with the beauty of women and losing this hair can have a major toll on their mental health. Losing hair from eyebrows can also impact the physical beauty of the face which can again affect the mental health of women.
Radiotherapy often requires permanent marking on the body which can give the patients PTSD long after the completion of their treatment. Radiotherapy can cause permanent damage to the skin as well which can make women conscious about their beauty affecting their confidence.
Pakistan majorly lacks knowledge and acknowledgment of mental health disorders. The main reason the masses of Pakistan suffer includes the “it’s all in your head” mentality. It is indeed all in your head but isn’t the head one of the most important parts of your body?
The rate of success of breast cancer treatment is fortunately high and the odds of reoccurrence decrease with time. Unfortunately, recurrence can occur even years after treatment, so no one can state with absolute certainty that you are cured. The fear of going through the treatment all over again can adversely affect the mental health of breast cancer survivors.
Patients diagnosed with breast cancer have to be extra careful about their mental health as their willpower is highly significant for the successful treatment of cancer. Following are some ways a breast cancer patient can minimize the effects of breast cancer on mental health;
The most crucial first step to combat any issue is to acknowledge it. To appear as a strong person, people tend to ignore or suppress their emotions which can further harm their mental health. Emotions are not a sign of weakness. You can try and stay positive but it is completely okay to have your bad days. Accepting what you feel can help you understand your situation better which will ultimately assist you in getting useful help.
Breast cancer patients can try practicing meditation to improve their mental health. Meditation helps in building calmness and peace and can assist in the development of both your physical and mental health. During meditation by focusing on your breath, you can focus your thoughts on one thing which can decrease stress. According to studies, mindfulness techniques may aid in stress management and can reduce anxiety and despair.
Maintain a regular follow-up plan for the treatment of breast cancer. This will ensure that you are getting all the exams and diagnostics tests done on time. By managing your symptoms and with regular checkups even after the treatment, you stay peaceful and combat the fear of the reoccurrence of cancer.
Even after you are diagnosed with cancer, it is important to learn about the symptoms and signs during the ongoing treatment. This will help your care provider in the estimation of the efficacy of your treatment and will keep you at mental peace that your treatment is going at the right path.
Maintaining a healthier lifestyle can help in combating mental distress in cancer patients. If your doctor allows, you can incorporate exercise into your daily routine according to your condition and stage of treatment. Exercise improves the synthesis and release of hormones which can elevate your mood. Getting enough sound sleep every night can also help to minimize the adverse effects of breast cancer on your mental health. Beans, lentils, seeds, legumes, nuts, etc. are collectively called brain foods which help can not only help to minimize the effects of breast cancer on mental health but will also help in the treatment of cancer.
Support groups can help decrease the judgment and loneliness of breast cancer patients. Getting to know other survivors can create hope and help you understand that you are not alone in this battle. Support groups are safe platforms for breast cancer patients to express their emotions honestly and truthfully.
If you know someone who is going through the treatment of breast cancer or has been recently diagnosed with it, there are many roles that you play to improve someone’s life. Your words and actions have a greater influence on the mental health of people than you think. People with cancer are suffering from a lot of self-doubt, guilt, anxiety, fear, and depression and thus can need empathy, care, and compassion. The treatment of cancer puts people in a vulnerable state which is why you have to be extra careful with your words, actions, and even about the vibe you give to them. Following are some ways you can improve the mental health of someone with cancer;
If you are experiencing any changes in your breast, or any discomfort then don’t delay. Contact Sehat Kahani today and connect with the experts who will guide you about the symptoms, self-examinations, and diagnostic tests for breast cancer.
When you have breast cancer, you should expect to experience some level of stress and anxiety. It won’t worsen your breast cancer or keep you from getting better. However, it’s crucial to get support if you discover that stress, worry, or fear is affecting your relationships, sleeping patterns, or daily routine.
Diagnosis of cancer can have a serious impact on the mental health of individuals. Cancer can increase the susceptibility of patients to develop depression and anxiety.
Breast cancer can affect a person’s life before, during, and after the treatment. Before the treatment patients face breast pain, swelling, dimpling, irritation, etc. in the breast. During the treatment of breast cancer, the patient’s life is affected by the aftermath of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Whereas after the completion of the treatment, these patients can face weariness, persistent breast soreness, lymphedema, hot flashes, PTSD, and other menopausal symptoms, as well as a decrease in sexual desire.
Getting diagnosed with breast cancer can take a toll on the emotional development of the patients. It can trigger various reactions and can lead to the development of psychological distress including depression, anxiety, aches, isolation, sexuality concerns, self-blame, and fatigue.
The mental symptoms in recently diagnosed breast cancer patients include anger, grief, helplessness, fear, anxiety, and guilt.
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