While initial breast cancer treatment may eliminate all cancer cells, a few may have escaped the treatment and managed to survive. Recurrent breast cancer may happen months or years after the initial treatment. The tumour may either grow in the same location as original cancer (known as local recurrence) or may spread to other body areas (known as distant recurrence)
Knowing that you have recurrent breast cancer may even be more challenging than dealing with the initial diagnosis. Hence, reducing and preventing the chance of breast cancer recurrence is critical. Here are the best tips to help you better cope with breast cancer treatment’s side effects and to decrease the risk of breast cancer recurrence.
Take care of yourself, physically and emotionally
To be mentally healthy, be sure sometimes to put your needs first. You can also try to join a support group or look for breast cancer survivors you can talk comfortably with to share your challenges and get some insights. You can also try volunteering or becoming a breast cancer advocate.
If you have any concern or fear, do not be afraid to reach out and speak with your doctor. If you experience any physical changes, report them to your primary health care providers or oncologist.
Maintain a healthy diet
Eating a balanced diet after breast cancer can enhance and maintain your overall health. Medical experts recommended the following healthy diet:
- Eat a diet loaded with fruits, vegetables and whole grains, at a minimum of five servings every day
- Whenever possible, pick organic foods to lessen your exposure to pesticides and hormones added to poultry
- Wash produce thoroughly to reduce pesticide exposure
- Limit intake of red meat
- Eat around two to three servings of fish every week, especially those rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as sardines and salmon
- Increase fibre consumption
- Stay away from trans fat
Maintain a healthy weight
Overweight women are more likely to have recurrent breast cancer. Hence, maintaining a healthy weight is critical to reduce the chance of your breast cancer coming back and optimise your overall well being.
Reduce stress
Limiting or coping with everyday stress, including the stress of being a breast cancer survivor, help improve your overall survival rate. Just as each woman has a different body, so is her capacity to cope with stress. So, it would be best if you found suitable and practical ways to handle the stress that works for you and your lifestyle.
Some helpful methods and activities to relieve stress are exercise, acupuncture, journaling, gardening, yoga, massage therapy, meditation, attending mental health counselling, exploring creative talent and energy healing like reiki. If stress or depression somehow affect your quality of life, be sure to speak with your doctor.
Engage in regular exercise
Regular exercise helps reduce stress, improves fatigue symptoms and overall health. The ten years survival rate is higher in patients who exercise regularly compared to those who do not.
Get regular health screenings
Apart from taking the different types of breast cancer screening, such as mammograms, from the best health screening Singapore, it would help if you stay up-to-date on vaccinations like flu shots and others. Also, continue getting annual physical examinations.
After your treatment for breast cancer ends, your physician might prepare a schedule for follow-up examinations for you. During these exams, your doctor will check for any signs and symptoms of cancer recurrence. You should also report any signs and symptoms to your healthcare provider. Be sure to book an appointment with your doctor promptly if you notice any persistent symptoms that are fretting you.
Take relevant therapies
Therapies, such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy, help lessen the risk of breast cancer recurrence. For instance, taking hormones after your initial treatment may decrease the risk of recurrence if you possess hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.
Every breast cancer survivor worries about getting new cancer or breast cancer recurrence. Recurrent breast cancer may occur within months or years after the initial cancer treatment. Therefore, adopting methods to prevent cancer recurrence is crucial. Follow the tips in this article to decrease and prevent the risk of your breast cancer coming back.
