In this article Sandy Hutchens looks at ways of dealing with the side effects of breast cancer treatment.
This is a very challenging process for most women.
Many women may suffer depression when they experience iatrogenic hair loss caused by chemotherapy. Partial or radical mastectomies are, of course, more devastating to women.
It requires tremendous emotional strength to go through these processes. One aspect that is distressing is a woman’s appearance and the impact on her body image.
When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, it can be a life changing experience. She may discover a lump in her breast while involved in routine activities.
After the lump is removed and a biopsy is performed the doctor may give a diagnosis of breast cancer, Stage I or Stage II breast cancer.
The first thing that a woman might do in these circumstances is to look for other opinions and alternative methods.
Some doctors may suggest the immediate removal of the breast followed by reconstructive surgery.
In any case, the focus of her life has now shifted completed to the cancer and issues to do with surgery and all the implications that a mastectomy may have on her sense of self.
Obviously a woman’s life is more valuable than her breasts. The patient may know this very well but it is very difficult to stop identifying oneself as a woman with certain body. They can’t imagine life without their breasts.
Typically a woman at this point will agree to any needed surgery. After the surgery it can be extremely shocking to wake up and not feel or see their breasts. There is a state of cognitive dissonance.
Breasts are one symbol of femininity. It is a very delicate matter for a person. She may feel insecure or depressed at this point and start worrying about their future relationships with men.
Implants may help but the truth is that they do not feel or look the same. Injections are needed frequently to make the implants expand. Life has changed forever and therapy is indicated to help deal with the emotional difficulties and with self acceptance.
The struggle to reconcile herself with her breasts being removed is only one difficulty she has to face.
Chemotherapy treatment, which usually follows the mastectomy, can be pretty rough and then their is thinning hair – another blow to the body image.
While brushing her hair she may notice it start to fall out.
Some women simply shave their heads so that they don’t have to go through the gradual process of hair loss. Although this is also a trying aspect of breast cancer treatment it is not as devastating as the loss of her breasts.
A woman will often begin to wear a wig or a head scarf or other head covering.
There are a number of emotional and physical challenges of this process. The most important thing is to have the love and support of family and friends.
If breast cancer is treated well, and there is a great deal of support from others as well as self-acceptance, there is nothing stopping a woman from moving on to a new chapter in her life.