Being diagnosed with any type of cancer is a scary experience and one that you should never go through alone. The good news is that survival rates have risen sharply in the last thirty years. There is now a 92% chance of surviving 5 years or more after a breast cancer diagnosis.
Unfortunately, treatment for breast cancer can be exhausting. It is advisable to use stereotactic radiotherapy as it is much less invasive than an operation to remove the tumour. But, regardless of your treatment type, you’ll need to pay extra attention to self-care.
It will help you to feel normal and capable of daily challenges.
Support Network
This is probably the most important element of self-care regardless of what issue you are facing. Being diagnosed and going through the treatment of breast cancer is traumatic. You need to have a support group. This can be family and close friends or it can be a group of fellow sufferers/survivors.
Being part of a group allows you to share when you’re feeling down. This helps you get through the toughest stages. You can also be there to help others keep going, effectively maintaining your mental health.
Invest In Skin Creams
Radiation therapy will cause issues for your skin. At the least it is likely to be red, in many cases, you’ll start to experience blisters, which are similar to severe sunburn.
By investing in a few quality creams you can soothe the pain associated with this and help to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.
Alongside creams, it’s advisable to keep badly blistered or red skin out of chlorinated water, such as that in the pool or spa.
Keep It Covered
If you have developed severe blisters then show them to your treatment specialist to ensure they are normal. They are likely to suggest that you dress them when you’re out and about. Keeping them covered may slow down the healing process but it will also prevent bacteria from getting into your skin and causing an infection.
Get Enough Rest
Sleep is important for everyone. Experts recommend 7-9 hours of sleep a night. It can be hard to fit this much sleep in. But, when you’re fighting breast cancer, you’re likely to be more tired than usual. As your body does most of its healing when sleeping, taking longer rests is a great way to maintain physical and mental health.
Exercise
If you already indulge in exercise then keep doing it. You’ll find that it helps to clear your mind, take your focus off the treatment, and help you retain some normality.
Alongside this, exercise is great for your body and can even help you heal.
If you’re not used to regular exercise then this can be a great time to start. You’ll need to take it slow and steady until you’re comfortable. However, providing you choose an activity you enjoy you’ll find it is not just physically and mentally beneficial, it’s also a great way to meet new people. That can help you deal with your breast cancer treatment.
