If I could actually sit back and be objective and talk openly to someone about cancer I would begin with talking about survival and what tools I think you need to help you at any stage of cancer in making the hard decisions and dealing with the changes that come with the diagnosis and treatment. Knowing that from the time of diagnosis, we are all considered survivors would be step one. I think of what tools to arm yourself with to deal with what lies ahead and I would have to say that open, honest, communication and thorough education on your part as being an active part of the process would also be included. Getting answers from reputable sources and information and education would be vital. Don't just listen to stories from others, get the facts. Everyone has their own story to tell and we are all different in how we approach issues and how we deal with them as well. I would warn each and every person to realize that this experience is like life in every way with ups and downs and to anticipate that it is not just a direct route that we all follow. Each person's experience will be different depending on the type of cancer, the stage, the age of the person involved and all the other ramifications that affect your life including income, social supports, medical care availability and more. Listening and I mean actively listening to what the professionals tell you and to ask relevant questions without fear that your question may sound stupid. Keep in mind that if it is your question, there is nothing stupid about it, you need to know. Staying positive and keeping a sense of humor albeit it is often hard to do, is also an important step in survival. Family is the other important step that I have to say is imperative in my survival and maybe in yours. As I look at all of this I see that these are tools for every day survival for all. It may sound trite but isn't this something we all need to do on a daily basis and keep what is important in our sites at all times? Circumstances change and good and bad days are always out there, process what is important and what you can let go and find the happiness within. Reach out and let people in and love most of all- share and accept love. I have had awful moments and I wonder how my husband sticks beside me but he always is and continues to express his support and love and even in those awful moments, it is what keeps me going. It is what makes it a great day even when there are alligators! S
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Therapy Eases Hot Flashes After Breast Cancer
A small study has found that a type of counseling called cognitive behavioral therapy can help ease hot flashes that often come during and after breast cancer treatment. The results were published in the Feb. 15, 2012 online issue of The Lancet Oncology. Breast cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, ovarian shutdown with medicine, and surgically removing the ovaries all can cause hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms that can be just bothersome or quite severe. Doctors call side effects such as hot flashes and night sweats vasomotor symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help ease hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, but women diagnosed with breast cancer shouldn't take HRT because it could promote the growth of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer cells. Other medicines, such as antidepressants and sleep aids, can offer some relief for some women. Researchers have studied the potential of many complementary and holistic treatments -- acupuncture and yoga, for example -- to help ease hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Still, most of the studies are small, like this one. Results are mixed: Some have shown that some complementary and holistic treatments may help ease hot flashes in some people. All the 96 women in this study had been treated for early-stage breast cancer and were having at least 10 episodes of night sweats or hot flashes each week when they agreed to be in the study. Besides getting the standard recommendations for treatment recovery, half the women also got 90-minute cognitive behavioral therapy sessions once per week for 6 weeks. The cognitive behavioral therapy sessions taught the women about hot flash triggers as well as relaxation techniques, breathing control, and how to get better sleep. The other women got only the standard breast cancer treatment recovery recommendations. As the study went on, the women reported on the frequency and severity of any hot flashes, as well as how they felt more generally. Both groups of women reported less severe hot flashes during the study, but the decrease was much greater in women who got cognitive behavioral therapy. The benefits of cognitive therapy also lasted long after the final therapy session:
Besides less severe hot flashes, women who got cognitive therapy were more likely to report better overall health, better emotional health, fewer sleep problems, and better memory and concentration after 6 months compared to women who didn't get cognitive therapy. For some women, complementary and holistic treatments may help ease hot flashes that can come with menopause and breast cancer treatment. For other women, these therapies combined with conventional medicine may offer a more integrated approach to relief. Found this on the BREAST CANCER. ORG site and thought you might be interested in reading it as well. Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of any medical institution. S |
AuthorMy name is Sue Kilburn and I am a clinical nurse breast cancer educator at the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Archives
March 2015
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