The emotional management of breast cancer

The diagnosis of breast cancer triggers many emotions throughout all stages of treatment and recovery.

Each woman reacts differently depending on her story, the events she has had to face, her sensitivity, her way of representing things and her temperament.

There is no right or wrong way to react, but it is important to prioritize your emotional well-being to cope with this diagnosis and fight against the disease.

emotional well-being

It is completely normal to feel in the grip of anxiety, panic, anger, fear, consternation, sadness or even depression.

These feelings are normal. We must not repress them and we must above all remain honest with ourselves. The acceptance process can sometimes be long, patience and hope are the key words.

The consequences of treatments on your body are often heavy. It's normal that you don't feel in good physical condition. An onco-rehabilitation program in the hospital, with physical and emotional support, is essential.

To cope with breast cancer, it is important to feel mentally strong in order to be able to fight the disease.

To help you get through this phase better, here are some tips:

• Focus on your emotional healing. You should know that repressed emotions only make the situation worse. You have to learn to identify and express your emotions. So you can manage them better.
• It is also important to let go and freely express your emotions, by sharing them.

How? 'Or' What ? You can write in your diary. Writing will help you stay on track with your treatment and stay aware of your emotional state. Try to take notes of daily events, describing your mood and how your situation is changing. A diary can also help you track your ups and downs and keep your mind clear.

Do not hesitate to talk about it with your family, your friends or other women in your situation… They will understand you better than anyone. You can talk and share with them openly. They will understand how you feel and be able to talk about how they handled their emotions.

• You can also draw your strength from music, painting, running, long relaxing baths. Find a hobby or fun activity. A real therapy for your mental health during your cancer treatment.
• You can also look for a class or therapy that will help you realize your inner strength and deal with your anxiety or tension, such as meditation, yoga, and relaxation exercises. You can also recharge your batteries in nature.
• Adopt a good healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, don't smoke, do physical activity… it will help you to recover physically and mentally. Find out about onco-rehabilitation programs.
• Don't focus on your emotional reactions all the time and think about having fun.

Good mental health is essential to your well-being and your quality of life: it must be preserved!

It may take time for you to find your balance and accept the changes in your life. But if your troubles only get worse: lack of appetite, sleep disorders, dark thoughts…, don't hesitate to seek professional help and don't wait before consulting.

You can ask your doctor, oncologist or nurse to refer you to counseling at your cancer center or hospital.

Living with cancer means being confronted with a multitude of emotions such as uncertainty, confusion, fear, questions about the chances of recovery, anxiety… Emotions that can upset a life!

You will certainly be afraid of illness, of treatment, of losing a breast or your hair, of leaving the people you love.

How to live with fear?

It is important to have a rigorous medical follow-up. This is necessary to reassure you at each control.

Consultations can be difficult to live with. You feel anger, fear, you are nervous, anxious...

Express your emotions. They are stronger than you. The sooner you accept these difficult times, the sooner you will learn to overcome your fear.

Why not write down all your questions and anxieties on paper before your visit. A good way to overcome your anxieties and keep in touch with reality.

Write down everything that scares you in black and white. Define for yourself how you can deal with your fear in a healthy way. Show your list to someone you trust or a psychologist and talk about it together.

Keep talking about your disease with your family, friends, patients in the same situation or a healthcare professional.

It is better to address the problems and seek help if necessary.