Diagnosis of end stage breast cancer or metastatic breast cancer shakes a person’s world – physically, mentally, emotionally. Many questions come across about the future, lifestyle, treatment, finances, etc. One can have a wave of emotions, which can have a huge impact on overall health. But stressing or worrying about all these will not do any good. Instead, with a positive attitude, find a ways to deal with your condition.
To help you make informed decision about your steps forward, let us understand the basics first.
What is Metastatic Breast cancer?
Breast cancer is usually classified based on the stages which describes the extent of cancer present in your body. There are five stages for breast cancer: stage 0 to stage 4. End stage breast cancer, also called stage IV or metastatic breast cancer, spread cancer to other parts of the body, most commonly bones, lungs, liver or brain. Spreading of cancer occurs when the cancer cells from breast tumour travel through the blood stream to other parts.
Metastatic breast cancer is developed in about 30% of women with early-stage breast cancer. It is difficult to cope with a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. The process may seem long and frustrating. You may feel anxious, afraid, or overwhelmed after learning of your cancer diagnosis and worry how you will cope in the days ahead.
Coping with breast cancer diagnosis
Following are some of the coping tips to deal with unfavorable breast cancer diagnosis.
Learn everything you need to know about your cancer diagnosis
To make proper decisions about your care, try to acquire as much basic and useful information as possible. Ask your questions to the doctor and be clear with your diagnosis, treatment, its side effects, etc. Always take your family members or friends with you to your doctor appointments. They may help you in the decision-making process.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
This helps you to improve your energy levels. Eat a healthy diet, include all variety of foods and get sufficient amount of rest. Try to get good amount of sleep, as this helps you to manage your stress levels. Also, do some mild physical exercises which not only helps you to cope better but live longer.
Maintain honest communications
Have a proper and honest two-way communication with your doctors and your loved ones. Express your feelings, emotions or pain with them. This helps you to be confident, builds strength and better management with the entire process.
Accept the changes
It is obvious that things do not remain the same after your diagnosis. There are many physical and mental changes like hair loss, weight loss or gain, unequal size of breast, etc. Also consider how your treatment impacts your daily activities. Unexpected financial burden may arise. Consider additional costs of medical devices, medications, traveling, etc. Many cancer support groups help and provide tips for you.
Communicate with other breast cancer survivors
You may find it easier to talk to someone outside your family or friends. Talk to other patients with cancers. It may help you as well as them to share your experiences among others and get insights on what to expect during the treatment. You may feel that you are not alone. You can connect to them through support groups, or your doctor will help you do that.
Build your coping strategies
Try to practice relaxation techniques, do yoga and/or meditation. Find a source of spiritual support. Plan your day and do your favorite activities that recharges you and makes you feel happy. Try to maintain your normal lifestyle. Practise self-distraction, remain involved in work and leisure activities.
Options for end of life care for people having late stage breast cancer
End of life care means that when your healthcare team determines that your cancer is no longer under control, medical testing and treatments may often stop. To improve your quality of life and making you comfortable for the following weeks or months, your care is continued. This stage of life is different for each patient, therefore needs for information and support also differs.
Palliative care focuses on manage your symptoms and feelings. It supports you and your family with non-medical needs. Less severe symptoms, better quality of life and more satisfied results are seen in palliative care. Your healthcare team possess special skills, experience and knowledge to support you. They make sure that you are physically comfortable, pain free, and emotionally supported.
Hospice care is a special type of care given to cancer patients which provides medical, psychological, and spiritual support. It aims to assist you in living each day to the fullest by managing pain and other symptoms and ensuring your comfort. Their entire focus is on caring not curing. By choosing hospice care you could hope for good quality of remaining life with your loved ones.
Hospice care is mostly given at home but it is also available in special inpatient facilities, hospitals and nursing homes. The professionals and voluntaries working for hospice care are specially trained. It provides care for months and the team includes speech, physical and occupational therapists if needed.
Clinical trials are often offered to patients with end-stage cancers. These studies are intended to determine the safety of a new treatment and appropriate dose.
The chances of new treatment benefiting are little. Some patients join these trials in the hope that the medication would help them slow the cancer progression. Another reason could be that they want to help future patients. Clinical trials have both risks and benefits. Your doctors will explain you in detail before you decide to join the trials.
When cancer is terminal, decisions about treatment are very personal, and it’s natural to want to do everything you can. However, you must consider the risks and benefits of existing treatments, as well as your own beliefs about life and death. You should ask all of the necessary inquiries. If you decide not to pursue more aggressive cancer treatment, you can still receive supportive care to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible.
References:
Breast Cancer and Palliative Care. Get palliative care.
https://getpalliativecare.org/whatis/disease-types/breast-cancer-palliative-care/
- Breast Cancer – Metastatic: Palliative Care. Canver.Net
https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/breast-cancer-metastatic/palliative-care - Metastatic Breast Cancer. Breastcancer.org
https://www.breastcancer.org/types/metastatic#section-what-is-metastatic-breast-cancer - Supportive care for breast cancer. Canadian cancer society.
https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-types/breast/supportive-care - Treatment of Breast Cancer by stage. American Cancer Society.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/treatment-of-breast-cancer-by-stage/treatment-of-stage-iv-advanced-breast-cancer.html - Coping with Breast Cancer. CANCER RESEARCH UK.
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/living-with/coping - Cancer diagnosis: 11 tips for coping. MAYO CLINIC.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer-diagnosis/art-20044544 - Choices for Care When Treatment May Not Be an Option. National Cancer Institute.
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/advanced-cancer/care-choices
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