Things Your Doctor Probably Doesn't Tell You About Breast Cancer

When your doctor tells you that you have breast cancer, it must have felt like a huge boulder fell on your head. You suddenly feel overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. You may not be able to think, "What do I do now?" Often, at a time like this, we feel like saying "yes" to any treatment the doctor suggests. But wait a minute. Before you panic, there are some important things you need to know, but perhaps not discussed. Let's talk about them.

The most important thing to remember is to never be afraid to get a second opinion . Even if your doctor doesn't suggest it, talking to another specialist about it can give you peace of mind.

Now let's look at some of the things that aren't usually talked about in breast cancer treatment , but that you should definitely be aware of.

Swelling of the arm after surgery (Lymphedema)

This is something that many people experience, but are not aware of beforehand. During breast cancer surgery or radiation therapy, the lymph nodes in the armpit can be damaged. Simply put, this interferes with the flow of lymph fluid in our body. Then that fluid can accumulate in the arm, upper arm, or chest, causing painful swelling. This is what we call (Lymphedema) .

Although there is no permanent cure for this, it is much easier to control the symptoms if treatment is started early . Therefore, even if your doctor has not mentioned this, ask about it yourself and request to see a therapist who specializes in lymphedema before surgery. It is very worthwhile.

Sudden decrease in immunity (Neutropenia)

This is one of the most serious side effects of chemotherapy. Neutropenia is when the levels of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that fights disease in our body, drop significantly. When this happens, your body's ability to fight infections becomes significantly weaker.

Even a common cold can be serious. So, during chemo, talk to your doctor about your white blood cell count and the steps you need to take to protect yourself from infections. This is especially important during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Fertility

This is a topic that is often overlooked in cancer treatment, but it is a very sensitive one. Perhaps because you are over 40, or because you are single, your doctor may think that you are not interested in having children. But that is not true. You have every right to talk about your future family plans.

Things like chemotherapy and hormone therapy can affect your fertility. For example, it may be difficult to get pregnant after 5 years of hormone therapy. So, be sure to talk to your doctor about options for having a child in the future (such as egg or embryo freezing) before starting treatment.

Side effects of hormone therapy

Many people are only afraid of the side effects of chemotherapy. But the side effects of hormone therapy (endocrine therapy) can be just as severe. But patients are not properly informed about them.

Some women suffer for 5-10 years due to side effects (e.g. fatigue, joint pain, depression) caused by drugs like tamoxifen. Another thing that is often not talked about is a condition called 'brain fog' . This is a feeling of confusion, memory loss, and feeling like you're lost. Although this is expected with chemo, many people are not aware that it can occur with hormone therapy.

Risk of cancer recurrence (Recurrent Cancer)

This is a topic that many people are afraid to talk about. Even after the best treatments, cancer can come back (recur). It can be in the same place it was before, or it can spread to a different part of the body.

Although it is said that "taking medicine for 5 years will completely cure the cancer", the truth is that sometimes even after 15 or 20 years, there is a very small risk that the cancer will come back or spread to other organs (metastasize). Even if you had a slow-growing, low-risk cancer, cancer cells may still be hiding in your body. It is important to talk about this risk at every doctor's appointment.

Prevention and guilt

Some doctors don't like to talk about cancer prevention because it can make patients feel guilty. Women blame themselves, thinking things like, "Did I drink that glass of wine?" or "Did I not exercise enough?"

In fact, no one can say exactly why someone got cancer. So, don't dwell on the past. Instead, think about the future. Adopting a healthy lifestyle (good diet, exercise) during the survivorship phase will not only reduce the risk of cancer coming back, but it will also help protect you from other diseases, such as heart disease.

Finances

Cancer treatment is a very stressful experience for both the body and the wallet. Many people are embarrassed or afraid to talk about it. However, it is important to talk to your doctor about the cost of treatment. Doctors need to understand that not everyone has the same financial capacity.

If possible, entrust these financial and insurance matters to a family member or friend. You can also ask for help from social workers or financial counselors at hospitals. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.

Breast cancer, breast cancer, cancer treatment, women's health, lymphedema, neutropenia, cancer side effects