What you need to know after being diagnosed with breast cancer

Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in the United States, but if you’re diagnosed with the disease, you may still feel lonely.

To cope with such devastating news, breast cancer surgeons from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) offer tips on managing the disease.

First, any treatment will depend on the stage and type of breast cancer you have.

There are several surgical options for breast cancer, as well as treatments that combine immunotherapy and chemotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease that disproportionately affects black women and has long been difficult to treat. One type of immunotherapy, pembrolizumab (Keytruda), has been effective when used alongside chemotherapy and has now become the standard of care for treating certain types of triple-negative breast cancer, according to the ACS.

“It is very important that the patient and physician discuss the patient’s preferences and values ​​when deciding which type of treatment to pursue, and that they have an honest, individualized conversation with their care team,” said Dr. Katharine Yao. She chairs the ACS National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), which establishes breast cancer treatment guidelines for more than 575 centers and hospitals nationwide.

Yao, who is also vice president of research at Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals in New York, noted that any treatment decision should reflect not only the patient’s diagnosis but also her goals, such as whether she would prefer surgery to remove some breast tissue. is spared (lumpectomy). or complete removal of the breast with or without reconstruction (mastectomy).

“The breast cancer you have may be very different from the breast cancer you hear about from your neighbor, co-worker or friend,” she noted in an ACS press release. “It’s important to keep that in mind when talking to others about their journey and experiences with breast cancer.”

Having breast cancer can also take a toll on your mental health, so it is paramount that you take care of your emotional well-being throughout your breast cancer journey.

“A cancer diagnosis doesn’t mean that all the normal things in your life stop happening. Adding the stress of a cancer diagnosis and treatment on top of all the normal stressors of life can be a lot to deal with,” says Dr. Daniela Ochoa, state chair of the Arkansas ACS Commission on Cancer and director of the Fellowship in the Diseases of the Breast program at the University of Arkansas Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. “Managing stress and emotional health is an important aspect of a treatment plan.”

Ochoa recommends getting advice from clinically trained social workers and psychologists who have expertise in helping patients manage their cancer. Support groups or cancer wellness programs can also help you learn coping skills from other cancer patients.

Perhaps the most important factor is the care team you have in your corner, the surgeons said.

Comprehensive care will be with you every step of the way, including a surgeon, oncologist, patient navigator, nursing staff, social worker or psychologist and others, according to the ACS. When first diagnosed with breast cancer, women may first meet with a surgeon or medical oncologist to discuss their options, but care should not end after one visit or after surgery is completed.

Support can also be found from trusted family members or friends who can accompany you on visits and help you take notes or ask questions during your appointments.

“One of the most important things is that patients should look for a team that they trust, that they trust will have their back when they need it, and a team that they feel like they can count on.” access and that will help them when they are in need,” Yao said.

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