Coping with breast cancer

You might find you receive comfort and support by talking with other patients who have been through what you are going through and understand your journey.

Breast cancer charity websites offer patients a platform which allows them to express personal stories, reflect on diagnosis and treatment journeys and offer tips on how to communicate emotions and needs with loved ones and healthcare teams.

There are many useful resources that have been developed to offer emotional and mental health support for patients. You can find helplines, forums as well as recommendations on the best apps and free services you can use.

You can also view

Macmillan Cancer Support

Macmillan Emotions and Mental Health support page here

Breast Cancer Now here

Make 2nds Count here

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a specific technique that may also be helpful when working on your mental health. It uses meditation, yoga and breathing techniques of mindfulness. It also uses some cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques to help you change unhelpful thought patterns.¹

There are a few centres in the UK that offer MBCT classes on the NHS and you can talk to your healthcare team to find out where classes are available.¹

Some people also find that keeping a diary or journal helps them express their thoughts and feelings. Simply reaching out to friends and family can also be an effective way to maintain your mental health. The combination of different methods detailed above may also be helpful. For example, if when talking with a family member they struggle to understand your feelings, you may find that reading them a section of your journal allows them to comprehend what you mean.¹

Some people find it easier to talk to someone outside of their family and friends. Your GP, oncologist, or other doctors and nurses at the hospital will usually ask how you are feeling. This will give you the chance to talk to them about your feelings and emotions if you want to. You may already feel comfortable enough with them to do this. Or you could tell them that you are struggling with your feelings and would like to talk to someone.

CBT is a talking therapy that can help you to recognise any unhelpful thoughts. It can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave.

Your healthcare team may also be able to refer you to someone who is trained to listen and provide advice, such as a counsellor. Or if you are finding it difficult to cope, you may need more specialised emotional support from a psychologist.

Counselling

Counsellors are trained to listen and help people deal with difficult situations. Talking one-to-one with a trained counsellor can help you express and understand your feelings. It can also help you find ways to cope with these feelings or the problems they relate to. GP practices and hospitals often have their own counsellors. If they do not, they should be able to refer you to one.¹

Clinical Psychologist

Sometimes strong emotions can feel overwhelming and difficult to cope with. These feelings can affect your thinking and behaviour. Some people may have physical symptoms of anxiety or depression such as pain, difficulty sleeping or breathlessness. If your symptoms become overwhelming and hard to manage, you may find it helpful to see a clinical psychologist. Clinical psychologists are often part of the hospital cancer team, and they are specialists in providing psychological and emotional support to people with advanced cancer and your cancer doctors or your nurses will be able to make a referral.¹

Counselling is also on offer for friends and family who are finding it difficult to cope. Some psychological services will also offer support to carers and family members. Your healthcare team, your cancer doctors or your nurses should be able to make a referral.¹

Click here to download the guide for more information.