The breast cancer journey is filled with decisions, doctor visits, tests, treatments, medications, side effects, and stress. Below are some tips to help a woman newly diagnosed with breast cancer take control of this overwhelming experience.
Four Tips for Organizing Your Journey
1. Request copies of all your cancer treatment records and set up a personal medical file. Your file may include lab tests, pathology reports, x-ray results, prescription regimen, and follow-up care instructions. Over time, it's easy to forget when you were treated, who treated you, and what kind of drugs you were given.
2. Buy a journal to organize your thoughts, take notes, and document your experience. Some days you may feel like writing in your journal and other days you won't. Don't worry about the entries being sparse; even a few notes can help you remember important emotions or milestones. Keeping a journal can be a great defense against feeling overwhelmed or afraid.
3. Use a directory to maintain personal and medical team information so it will be handy when needed. A directory is a good place to organize information such as physician names, office addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses for people you need to call in an emergency. You can also use the directory to record insurance policy information, contact names, and numbers.
4. Keep track of all of your doctor's appointments, treatment dates, medicine doses, work schedule, and social activities in one calendar. In addition to recording your upcoming appointments, you may want to describe how you feel from one day to the next. This information will help you and your doctor find ways to make you more comfortable.
Staying organized during your cancer experience will help you stay calm and in control and will give you the order needed to focus your energy on becoming well.
About the Author:
Kim Regenhard is a breast cancer survivor. In spring of 1998, Kim Regenhard discovered a lump in her breast. When tests confirmed the lump was cancerous, Kim felt her world had been turned upside down. Although shocked and scared, Kim quickly decided her best strategy would be to remain positive, active and to educate herself about the disease.
Now cancer free, Kim has used her skills and experience to develop a tool that will help others navigate the physical and emotional course of cancer. With the help of other breast cancer survivors, Kim has created A Survivor's Guide for the Breast Cancer Journey, a gift from those who have walked and survived the breast cancer journey to those who find themselves taking the first steps.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Breast Cancer Symptoms - Five Warning Signs
What You Don't Want to Hear
"You have breast cancer" are words that can put fear into anyone's heart, and knowing breast cancer symptoms may help save your life. Women should follow their doctors recommendations regarding mammograms. Early detection of breast cancer means more treatment options and a better chance of cure.
What to Look For
While often breast lumps aren't cancerous, the most common sign of breast cancer, for both men and women, is usually a thickening or lump in the breast. Generally, early breast cancer does not cause pain. Five warning signs include:
A change in the size or contours of your breast
Any flattening or indentation of the skin over your breast
A spontaneous clear or bloody discharge from your nipple, often associated with a breast lump
Retraction or indentation of your nipple
Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange
A change in size or feel of your breast can be caused by a number of conditions other than breast cancer. Pregnancy and your menstrual cycle naturally changes breast tissue during that time. Fibrocystic changes, cysts, fibroadenomas, infection or injury are other possible causes of noncancerous (benign) breast changes.
What Reduces Risk
Two molecules, touted as "miracle molecules", help reduce the risk of breast cancer. These molecules are Resveratrol and Ellagic Acid. A great source of these comes from grapes (red wine) and pomegranates. Supplementing your diet with these antioxidant molecules can have a significant effect on your chances of hearing those words "you have breast cancer".
"You have breast cancer" are words that can put fear into anyone's heart, and knowing breast cancer symptoms may help save your life. Women should follow their doctors recommendations regarding mammograms. Early detection of breast cancer means more treatment options and a better chance of cure.
What to Look For
While often breast lumps aren't cancerous, the most common sign of breast cancer, for both men and women, is usually a thickening or lump in the breast. Generally, early breast cancer does not cause pain. Five warning signs include:
A change in the size or contours of your breast
Any flattening or indentation of the skin over your breast
A spontaneous clear or bloody discharge from your nipple, often associated with a breast lump
Retraction or indentation of your nipple
Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange
A change in size or feel of your breast can be caused by a number of conditions other than breast cancer. Pregnancy and your menstrual cycle naturally changes breast tissue during that time. Fibrocystic changes, cysts, fibroadenomas, infection or injury are other possible causes of noncancerous (benign) breast changes.
What Reduces Risk
Two molecules, touted as "miracle molecules", help reduce the risk of breast cancer. These molecules are Resveratrol and Ellagic Acid. A great source of these comes from grapes (red wine) and pomegranates. Supplementing your diet with these antioxidant molecules can have a significant effect on your chances of hearing those words "you have breast cancer".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)