Breast Cancer Diagnosis and its Repercussions on Mental Health

Introduction

Breast cancer is a life-changing illness that can affect anybody. It does not discriminate between rich or poor or young or old. It can affect anybody and is not just about the person who is suffering, and their entire family has to go through this illness. However, most survivors are very strong and put up a fighting front when it comes to beating breast cancer. They won half the battle with their willpower and dedication. It is important to keep their and their family’s mental health in mind when dealing with their cancer prognosis. To support breast cancer awareness October has been designated as the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Let us support breast cancer survivors and spread awareness about it so, people are educated about it and its treatment plans.  

The distress from breast cancer is not just related to the acute physical condition but also affects other parts of your life. Cancer is an illness that concerns you, your family, and your entire life. Depression and anxiety are some of the most common mental health problems that women with breast cancer experience. Mental health problems can delay recovery, while psychosocial factors have been shown to influence the quality of life of breast cancer survivors. With every physical and emotional challenge faced by cancer survivors, it is easy to forget about their mental health, resulting in a significant decline in quality of life. The significance of proper mental health support for breast cancer survivors is not only evident but also increasing day by day.

The distress from breast cancer is not just related to the acute physical condition.

Distress is not just related to the acute physical condition. It is also caused by other factors, such as the impact of having a serious illness and being treated for it, which can lead to depression or anxiety disorders.  Anxiety disorders are common in patients with breast cancer. Breast cancer survivors are more vulnerable to developing anxiety disorders as they are distressed by their illness. This can lead to a decline in the quality of mental health. Without mental healthcare, their condition will only worsen. 

Cancer is an illness that can affect anybody.

The diagnosis of cancer can be a devastating blow to anyone. For breast cancer survivors who have fought for many years, this experience can take a toll on their mental health as well. The effects of breast cancer on your physical health are well documented; however, clinicians rarely discuss how this disease impacts the mental health of survivors. Research shows that high-risk postmenopausal women with early-stage or newly diagnosed breast tumors have more severe psychological symptoms than those without these diagnoses. Even if you do not have cancer but know someone who does, you may still feel anxious about what might happen next. This is normal and not something to avoid feeling. It is vital that you know it is okay to feel these emotions and be scared. There is no shame in it, and you are not alone.

Depression and anxiety are some of the most common mental health problems that women with breast cancer experience.

These conditions can affect the quality of life, including physical health and the ability to work or study. Depression is a mood disorder that affects how you feel about yourself, your relationships with others, and your thoughts about the world around you. It is often associated with feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Anxiety is a feeling of intense worry about something that might happen in the future or imagine happening now. It can lead to panic attacks or other symptoms like muscle tension or sweating. 

There is a tendency for anxiety disorders to be chronic, with symptoms lasting more than six months. However, many people find themselves getting better over time without treatment after suffering from the symptoms of these disorders for several years before seeking treatment. Mainly because they did not know what else was wrong besides having cancer.

Mental health problems can delay recovery.

Mental health is more than just feeling sad or upset—it is a range of emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that affect how we think, feel and live our lives. Depression is a mental illness that can severely affect breast cancer survivors' quality of life. It is estimated that between 20% to 30% of women with breast cancer will experience depression at some point in their lives after diagnosis. However, this number may be higher for those living with other chronic illnesses like heart disease or diabetes as well as those who have experienced traumatic events before diagnosis.

Depression interferes with daily functioning and causes serious problems such as low self-esteem, poor work performance, and suicidal thoughts or attempts. It even makes it harder to stick to treatment plans by making you feel hopeless about being able to overcome your symptoms again once they go away temporarily during treatment sessions with doctors or therapists.

Concerns about body image can lead to difficulty accepting emotional changes that have occurred.

Body image is a complex concept, but it can affect how we feel about ourselves and our bodies. Women with breast cancer may experience changes in the body that can make it difficult to accept the emotional changes. These feelings of inadequacy may lead to low self-esteem and depression, which are common among people with breast cancer.

Several factors might increase the risk of suffering mental health problems after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

1. Age- Older age is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Incidences of depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health problems are also common in old age. So females older than 70 years are more likely to be depressed when diagnosed with breast cancer.
2. Family history of mental health problems – People diagnosed with breast cancer are more likely to experience mood disorders if their mothers or sisters had been diagnosed before them. This may be due to shared environmental exposures from growing up nearby, sharing similar experiences such as surgery or chemotherapy treatment, and having less support from friends/family members, etc.
3. Personal history - Having a personal history such as divorce or high divorce rates, or any such drastic changes within the family can increase your risk for developing depression after being diagnosed with breast cancer. The diagnosis may decrease self-esteem, leading to other negative psychological conditions such as anxiety disorders, mood swings, etc. It makes you feel isolated from others who do not share that experience.
    
4. Socioeconomic status - Socioeconomically disadvantaged women tend to have worse physical outcomes and poor mental health than their well-off counterparts in every age group, including young adults under 30 years of age.

Psychosocial factors have been shown to influence the quality of life of survivors.

Psychosocial factors have been shown to influence the quality of life of breast cancer survivors. These factors can affect how people cope with the disease, as well as their overall physical and emotional health.

Some psychosocial factors that may affect the quality of life include:

1. Depression or anxiety (including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder)
2. Social support from family and friends, including financial support from family members or friends.
3. Cancer treatment-related factors, including side effects and the stage and recurrence.

Coping mechanism

The ability to cope with stress is essential for the quality of life. Coping skills are ways how people react when faced with a problem or challenge. There are many coping strategies, including distractions, self-soothing, problem-solving, etc.

Adapting to life’s changes and challenges is crucial for coping with a chronic disease like cancer. Many studies have been conducted on how well people cope with cancer, such as how they deal with treatments or side effects. A few research suggests that people who maintain a sense of control over their lives are better able to tolerate the stressors associated with having breast cancer.

You might have heard that cancer patients should get psychological support. But, what does this mean, exactly?

Psychological support is a crucial part of cancer treatment. It helps you productively cope with your condition and ensures a positive outcome. It also helps with recovery and follow-up visits. Research shows that people who receive emotional support from their doctors are more likely to recover from breast cancer than those who do not receive emotional support at all.

Finding social support through organized groups and online forums can be a game changer.

Social support helps you cope with treatment, recovery, and the emotional toll of being a cancer victim. You may find that your social network is not just family or friends but also people from other walks of life who have been through similar experiences. In an online forum, you may find someone who understands what you are going through because they have been there too. Some people enjoy communicating with people in person or over email, few others prefer the anonymity of cyberspace where they can share their thoughts without any fear of judgment. Many women diagnosed with breast cancer find their lives have changed unexpectedly and might need support to handle it. It is also possible they may not get that from healthcare professionals or family members and friends.

The quality of mental health in breast cancer survivors can be affected by the following:

1. Support from healthcare professionals, family members, and friends may not be enough. Women are often afraid to talk about their feelings because they fear it will make other people unhappy or mad. Many women with breast cancer report feeling isolated from family members or friends who do not understand what they are going through because they themselves do not know how to talk about it.
2. Women should be able to get support from people who understand what they are going through, from doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, etc. It is important because it helps build confidence, as well as teaches others how important these issues are for you.

Supporting patients from the time of diagnosis improves their mental health outcomes.

Support from your healthcare team is critical in helping patients who experience breast cancer cope with their mental health. Patients who receive support from their healthcare team are less likely to experience depression and anxiety, and more likely to be satisfied with their care. If the disease is advanced or the prognosis poor, women are at increased risk for depression and anxiety—even if they have received treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

The emotional impact of breast cancer can be profound. 

A study by the National Cancer Institute estimated that women diagnosed with breast cancer suffer an average of four to five emotional problems per month, including depression and anxiety. While most people associate these symptoms with their physical condition, they are symptoms of a mental health disorder that may not be identified or treated appropriately. As such, patients often experience recovery at a slower rate due to the effects of their disease on their mind and body—an outcome that compounds their pain and makes it difficult for them to complete treatment protocols successfully to achieve remission.

Most patients with breast cancer do not receive the psychological support recommended by professional guidelines.

Psychological support should be provided for breast cancer patients and their care providers and family members. It is an essential part of any treatment plan for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It helps them cope better with the changes in their lives, such as loss of fertility or sexual interest, changes in body image caused by surgery or radiation therapy, side effects from medication (such as nausea), and other physical symptoms related to their illness itself. The most important part about providing psychological care is that it can help improve your quality of life; this works in many ways!

Conclusion. 

Breast cancer is a serious health issue affecting millions of women worldwide. Breast cancer does not discriminate and awareness is needed to help others understand the symptoms and how to detect it early for treatment.

Breast cancer awareness month is dedicated to educating women about breast cancer prevention, early detection, and treating it at the earliest. Breast cancer awareness is vital because it allows women to become educated about their risk factors and conditions. So, they can take steps to reduce the risk and be proactive about their health. 

October has been designated as ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month’, to raise awareness about the disease by educating people on how to prevent or detect it early enough so that treatment can begin. Breast cancer awareness month is an initiative that allows us all to learn more about this disease so we can do our part in helping others live longer, healthier lives!

We hope this article has helped you understand the importance of mental health among breast cancer survivors. The fight toward remission for these patients is often complicated and physically taxing. It is essential to support patients from the time of diagnosis till the completion of treatment and, in some cases, even after that.  The need of the hour is for more people to understand and support breast cancer awareness and also be vocal and supportive of mental healthcare for breast cancer survivors.