Cancer is an emotional experience as well as a physical one. From the moment you hear the words, "You have cancer," you start riding an emotional roller coaster. You will have days where you feel hopeful and other days when you worry that you will never feel good again.
Treatment for breast cancer can take months or even years. Your outlook and mood will fluctuate, but you don't have to live in a state of constant fear or despair. Cultivating opportunities for hope, joy, and optimism will make treatment easier for you and your family.
Connect With Loved Ones
Having a strong support network is invaluable during cancer treatment. You may need help with many basic activities, like driving to appointments or running errands. You'll also benefit emotionally from having friends and family around you.
Let the people you love know what will help your mood the most. You might want them to distract you by talking about anything but cancer. You may also want them to listen to your thoughts and concerns as you make your way through treatment.
Let the people who care about you do their part to support all of your feelings.
Get Moving
Exercise releases endorphins that boost mood. Exercise during cancer treatment is no exception. Research shows that getting moderate exercise can improve symptoms of anxiety or depression in people undergoing cancer treatment. Something as simple as getting up and taking a walk might turn a difficult day around.
Talk to your doctor about what kind of exercise is appropriate for you during treatment. If you were used to strenuous exercise before, you might need to modify your routine.
Talk to a Professional
If you have persistent feelings of depression or anxiety during cancer treatment, you should talk to a mental health professional. They can help you manage your feelings through talk therapy or a moderated cancer support group. You might also benefit from medication to ease the symptoms of anxiety or depression.
Your medical team can recommend a mental health professional who has experience working with people during cancer treatment. You should also check with your doctors before adding any medications to your routine. Make sure anything you take for mood issues is compatible with your cancer treatment regimen.
Give Yourself Grace
If you have days when you simply can't muster a positive attitude, don't worry. Bad days happen to everyone. You're entitled to feel scared, upset, or sad about having cancer.
Having periods when you feel bad emotionally won't affect the outcome of your cancer treatment. You can get better from cancer even if you have rough days. You don't need to pretend to feel better than you do. Acknowledge your feelings and talk about them. That will help you and your loved ones understand your emotions better.
