Coping with Fear of Treatment

The fear of breast cancer is unlike any other—psychologists and other experts agree on that. The fear can take many different forms, depending upon where you are in the breast cancer experience.

Fear of what treatment will be like for you is common and completely normal. Doctors use words like "aggressive," "powerful," and "invasive" to describe breast cancer treatments. Although these words may sound scary, what they mean is that the doctors have to fight a strong enemy like cancer with strong treatments. "Invasive" means that these treatments have to get inside your body to work. "Aggressive" and "powerful" mean they are launching the most effective attack possible on the cancer cells.

The good news is that breast cancer treatment today is far more effective than it was even five or ten years ago. It is more individualized to specific needs and cancer types. Surgical techniques have been developed to preserve women's figures while also preserving their lives. Medications have been developed to help control uncomfortable side effects.

When you have chemotherapy or radiation, getting the treatments can become routine, something you need to add to your day or week, but not something that will make you stop all your other activities. Usually, you can continue with certain parts of your everyday life, even if other parts have been put on hold or have changed.

You may need some time off; you may have to ask friends and family to take over a few chores for a while. But afterwards, you may expect to be as active and engaged in your life as ever. Many women say that life is never exactly the same again, but in some ways, it can get better.