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If you haven’t started treatment for your breast cancer, or
if you’re at the beginning of your treatment journey, there’s one thing you
should know: ongoing support during your breast cancer treatment is crucial to
your health. Studies have shown women in treatment with a strong social support
system have better health outcomes and a more positive body image compared to
women without support networks. And there are many other reasons why leaning on
others during this difficult process can make a big difference.
Loved ones can help you
follow your treatment plan.
Your treatment plan involves quite a few components which all
work together to help you achieve the best outcome possible. It’s important to
follow your treatment plan exactly as your doctor says, but this might mean
you’ll be faced with certain practical challenges.
Depending on the type of treatment you receive, you’ll have to
make regular visits to your doctor’s office or hospital. You’ll probably need
to take several different medications, and you’ll have to pay close attention
to the timing, dose, and frequency of each. For many women, sticking to a
treatment plan can become confusing and overwhelming. It can be especially hard
to adjust your lifestyle to your treatment plan since there’s usually so much
involved.
If you can, ask a friend or family member to help you make it
to your appointments and keep track of all your medications. You might need
someone to help babysit your children or stay with your elderly parents if
you’ll be away for several hours. Regardless of your unique needs, there will
probably be something you just can’t handle as you’re receiving treatment–and
that’s okay. That’s why it’s important to allow the people you trust to help as
much as they are able to.
You don’t need to navigate
the financial aspects of treatment alone.
It’s no secret that paying for cancer treatment can be very
expensive. There are many costs associated with having cancer, and they can add
up quickly. It can be even more challenging to deal with your insurance
company. In fact, the type of health insurance you have can be directly tied to
the amount of financial stress you experience after your diagnosis.
There are many supportive resources you can tap into to help
ease some of the stress associated with the financial burden of cancer. Many
healthcare facilities have patient service offices that work directly with
breast cancer patients and families to provide financial assistance. They may
help you determine if you qualify for any programs to help lower your
prescription drug costs. Often, these professionals can also work with your
insurance company to help you better understand your benefits, what your
insurance will pay for, and what your payment options are.
Caregivers can help you
manage treatment side effects.
There are several different breast cancer treatments your
doctor might suggest for you, and each comes with the possibility of side effects
that can impact your ability to perform your regular daily roles. Each woman
with breast cancer is unique, so you might not have the same side effects from
treatment as another woman with cancer.
Treatment side effects can be unpleasant, and it’s important to
have people around who can help you with day-to-day issues you might face.
Having a trusted family member or friend help take care of the house, shop for
groceries, or make meals when you don’t feel up to it can lower your stress
levels tremendously.
Support networks help you battle the emotions of cancer.
Nothing stays the same once you begin cancer treatment, and
having a strong support network in place can help you keep going even when it
gets hard. Your family, friends, and members of your community can all be
sources of encouragement and help. Other cancer survivors and members of online
communities can be wonderful resources for guidance and comfort as you complete
your journey. In many cases, patients benefit from talking to a psychiatric
oncologist or therapist during this process. It’s important to have as much
support as possible during treatment, since it can increase the likelihood of a
better outcome and allow you to focus on your recovery.