{"id":1884,"date":"2021-10-18T13:35:34","date_gmt":"2021-10-18T17:35:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montgomerymag.com\/?p=1884"},"modified":"2021-10-18T13:38:23","modified_gmt":"2021-10-18T17:38:23","slug":"life-after-breast-cancer-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montgomerymag.com\/life-after-breast-cancer-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Life After Breast Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Abigail Bortnick, mid-chemotherapy, sports a pink wig at a concert.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cBy the end of all that, I was exhausted,\u201d Bortnick, now 40, recalls. \u201cI was ready to move on.\u201d<\/p>\n

But she soon learned that, contrary to popular belief, life doesn\u2019t just go back to normal once cancer treatments are finished. Bortnick still grappled with physical symptoms such as fatigue and pain \u2014 especially after her breast reconstruction surgery \u2014 as well as forgetfulness that\u2019s commonly referred to as \u201cchemo brain.\u201d Three-and-a-half years later, those issues are mostly resolved; it\u2019s the emotional scars that have lingered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe main thing that haunts me is the continuous fear of the cancer coming back,\u201d Bortnick says. \u201cYou\u2019re never done with cancer. I think about it every day of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the five-year survival rate for breast cancer is high \u2014 90% overall, and 99% if the cancer hasn\u2019t spread outside the breast \u2014 survivors like Bortnick often deal with lingering physical, cognitive and emotional effects. Here are some of the most common ones \u2014 and what survivors can do to help manage them.<\/p>\n

Body image issues<\/p>\n

According to Dr. Raquel Nunes, a breast medical oncologist at the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at D.C.\u2019s Sibley Memorial Hospital, more and more young women are electing to undergo mastectomies to treat their breast cancer. And it\u2019s women in their 30s to mid-50s who suffer the most from resulting body-image issues.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany women never feel completely comfortable with the reconstruction,\u201d says Dr. Nunes. \u201cThey don\u2019t feel as beautiful, and it really hurts their self-esteem.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephanie Natter, clinical director of Expressive Therapy Center in Rockville and breast cancer survivor, notes that some women also struggle with the loss of hair, eyebrows and eyelashes often caused by chemotherapy.<\/p>\n

Fear of recurrence<\/p>\n

As with Bortnick, the fear of the cancer returning is the worst long-term impact for many of Dr. Nunes\u2019 patients. \u201cIt creates a lot of anxiety for them and can really become a driving factor in their lives,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s as if they\u2019re constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fatigue<\/p>\n

Chemotherapy and radiation can really wipe a person out. Add to that the anxiety and sadness many survivors face and it\u2019s no wonder they feel exhausted.<\/p>\n

Fertility problems<\/p>\n

Chemotherapy can damage a woman\u2019s eggs and cause her periods to become irregular or to stop. Hormonal drugs like Tamoxifen \u2014 commonly used to prevent recurrence and typically recommended for at least five years after treatment \u2014can also affect periods and cause the ovaries to stop producing eggs. In addition, these drugs can cause menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and loss of libido. All of these things can disrupt a woman\u2019s plans to start or continue a family.<\/p>\n

Guilt<\/p>\n

Survivor\u2019s guilt is common, as is guilt about not feeling better as quickly as the person would like. And then there\u2019s guilt about worrying loved ones. \u201cSometimes I feel guilty talking about how nervous I am,\u201d says Bortnick. \u201cI don\u2019t want to burden people.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But these long-term effects of breast cancer can be managed, and most survivors \u2014 like Bortnick and Natter \u2014 can go on to have good lives. If you are a breast cancer survivor, here are some ways to mitigate the effects of breast cancer and improve your quality of life.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Get moving<\/p>\n

According to Dr. Nunes, it\u2019s important to start an exercise routine as soon as you are able to \u2014 even if you start with five minutes of walking per day. That\u2019s because physical activity is the best way to manage fatigue. In fact, many survivors end up being more active after cancer. Bortnick started taking daily walks and doing yoga. In summer 2018, she went on a rock-climbing trip with First Descents, an organization that provides outdoor adventures for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health issues.<\/p>\n

Practice acceptance<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes the only way to deal with fears and anxieties is to acknowledge them instead of trying to fight them,\u201d says Dr. Nunes. So, remind yourself that it\u2019s OK to be sad or worried.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I\u2019d get down on myself for not feeling great, I\u2019d remind myself that I went through something really hard,\u201d says Bortnick. \u201cThen I\u2019d feel proud of myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t push yourself too hard<\/p>\n

It\u2019s OK if you can\u2019t get back to your pre-cancer workload, fitness routine or volunteer schedule right away. In fact, if you push too hard too soon, you can end up setting yourself back. So be patient and aim for small victories along the way.<\/p>\n

Seek out \u2014 and offer \u2014 support<\/p>\n

Natter started Breast Cancer Buddies, a free program at her practice, in 2017 when she realized that not many breast cancer support programs existed. Since then, she\u2019s found that the mentors \u2014 breast cancer survivors \u2014 gain just as much from the program as the mentees. Bortnick has also found comfort in a breast cancer support network and in helping the newly diagnosed. And for those who don\u2019t enjoy support groups, one-on-one counseling can be a good tool.<\/p>\n

But don\u2019t forget another important, and much more accessible, source of support: your family and friends.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be afraid to ask for help,\u201d says Natter. \u201cNow is not the time to try to do things on your own.<\/p>\n

Dr. Nunes agrees. \u201cWomen feel like they have to appear strong all the time,\u201d she says. \u201cBut they shouldn\u2019t be afraid to confide in their loved ones.\u201d<\/p>\n

And remember, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to survivorship. \u201cWhat works for one person may not work for someone else,\u201d says Dr. Nunes.<\/p>\n

So listen to your body, seek help when you need it and be sure to discuss any symptoms and concerns with your oncologist.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cBy the end of all that, I was exhausted,\u201d Bortnick, now 40, recalls. \u201cI was ready to move on.\u201d But she soon learned that, contrary to popular belief, life doesn\u2019t just go back to normal once cancer treatments are finished. Bortnick still grappled with physical symptoms such as fatigue and pain \u2014 especially after her […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":1887,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,1],"tags":[272,273,274],"yoast_head":"\nLife After Breast Cancer - Montgomery Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.montgomerymag.com\/life-after-breast-cancer-2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Life After Breast Cancer - Montgomery Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u201cBy the end of all that, I was exhausted,\u201d Bortnick, now 40, recalls. \u201cI was ready to move on.\u201d But she soon learned that, contrary to popular belief, life doesn\u2019t just go back to normal once cancer treatments are finished. 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