Living Life After Breast Cancer
- Category: Health & Wellness, Blog, Cancer Care
- Posted On:
- Written By: RRH
Remission Advice for Breast Cancer Patients
It's been a long road, but you've finally reached the end of your breast cancer treatment: you've got clear margins, and a bit of the weight has been lifted. You may feel relieved, grateful, and even apprehensive about what comes next. But the good news is that breast cancer survivors can lead full, active lives.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you move forward through remission:
1. Give yourself time to recover.
Depending on the treatment you received, it may take some time for your energy levels to return to normal. So don't be too hard on yourself if you need to take it easy for a little while. Listen to your body and give yourself the rest you need to recover.
Reducing Complications After a Mastectomy
If you’ve had a mastectomy, you know that recovery can take several weeks. During this time, it is essential to rest and allow your body to heal. Complications from surgery are rare but can include infection, bleeding, and pain.
There are several things you can do to reduce the risk of complications and speed up your recovery:
- Get plenty of rest. Sleep is important for healing.
- Eat a healthy diet. Eating nutritious foods will help your body to heal.
- Take your medications as prescribed. Be sure to ask your doctor if you have any questions.
- Exercise and do some light activity as tolerated. This will help to increase your energy and speed up your recovery.
- Avoid smoking. Smoking can delay healing and increase the risk of complications.
- Keep duct drains clean. These will be removed after a week to ten days.
- Have the support of a loved one. Someone should be there to take you home after surgery, assist with preparing meals, or help you move around the house.
If you experience any problems during your recovery, be sure to contact your doctor or surgeon.
2. Stay active.
Exercise is vital for breast cancer survivors for both physical and mental health. It can help reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence, ease treatment side effects like fatigue and anxiety, and improve the overall quality of life. So get moving! Start with gentle exercises and gradually increase your activity levels as you feel ready.
3. Eat healthily.
A healthy diet is important for everyone, but it’s especially crucial for breast cancer survivors. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence, while processed foods and red meat should be avoided.
Make sure to fill your plate with nutrient-rich foods to support your recovery. Seasonal foods such as pumpkin seeds, sweet potatoes, and cauliflower are great hearty options to add to your diet.
4. Connect with other survivors.
Breast cancer can be a lonely journey, but you don’t have to go through it alone. There are plenty of support groups and online communities for breast cancer survivors, so reach out and connect with others who are also navigating the recovery journey.
Many resources are available to breast cancer survivors, so don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it. With the proper support, you can live a healthy and fulfilling life after breast cancer.
5. Make time for self-care.
The journey you’ve been through is both physically and emotionally exhausting. So, taking time after breast cancer treatment to focus on yourself is vital. Make sure to schedule regular checkups with your doctor, get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and find ways to relax and de-stress.
You may also have put plans on hold during your treatments — maybe this means you haven’t seen family or you didn’t take the trip you were planning on. As long as you are cleared to return to a normal routine, it’s time to take control of your life and live.
6. Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
After breast cancer remission, it is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes taking vitamins, reducing alcohol consumption, and eating a healthy diet. Additionally, getting regular checkups and mammograms is critical to ensure that cancer does not return.
