In
Treatment

There are more breast cancer treatment options available today than ever before. While that’s great news, it doesn’t change the reality that cancer treatment can be hard on your body, mind, and relationships.

Whatever your treatment plan includes, and wherever you are in the process, we’re here for you with information and support to help you get through this challenging time. Here are some resources for those of you who are going through treatment for breast cancer right now.

There are many different ways that your body can respond to breast cancer treatments.  Some people feel sick soon after treatment starts, while others might not notice much change. If you’re experiencing side effects from treatment, tell your healthcare team early so they can help you find relief.

Learn more about treatment side effects.

Adding complementary or holistic therapies to your breast cancer treatment plan can be helpful for managing side effects or protecting your mental and emotional health. There are a wide variety of complementary therapies you can talk to your doctor about trying while in treatment, such as acupuncture, medical cannabis, meditation, Reiki, or yoga.

Learn more about complementary therapies.

Listen to podcast episodes about acupuncture, mindfulness, and Reiki.

Breast cancer treatment primarily focuses on your physical health. But it’s important to protect your mental and emotional health as well during this difficult time in your life. If feelings of sadness and worry are making it hard for you to function, it’s important you tell someone on your healthcare team, just as you would do for other side effects of treatment. 

Learn more about taking care of your mental health.

As you work to juggle trips to the doctor and treatment with everyday life, it’s understandable if exercise has slipped low on your to-do list. But there are good reasons to try to work out, as you’re physically able: Multiple studies show exercise can reduce treatment side effects and lower the risk of breast cancer coming back. Eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep can also help to keep your body strong.

Learn more about exercise.

Treatment may leave you feeling worn out and distant from family and friends. It may also change how you feel about sex and intimacy. Sharing these feelings may help others know how best to support you.

Learn more about how to talk with family and friends. 

Learn tips for talking with your partner about sex. 

Balancing work with breast cancer treatment, deciding if and when to tell your boss and co-workers about your diagnosis, and making decisions about taking time off can feel overwhelming. 

Learn more about workplace and job Issues.

Even if you have good health insurance coverage, the costs of breast cancer treatment can be a major source of stress and worry. If you’re concerned about paying for your treatment, talk to your care team. There may be resources available to help you.

Learn more about covering the costs of treatment.

Volunteering for a clinical trial may be an option for you at any point in treatment. There can be personal advantages to joining these trials, such as gaining access to the newest breast cancer treatments and being closely monitored by a team of researchers. 

Learn more about clinical trials.

Breast cancer treatment can feel isolating. Support groups provide an outlet to talk about your experiences and make meaningful connections with others who are navigating similar challenges. 

The Breastcancer.org Community provides online discussion boards for you to search, learn, connect, and share with people from around the world who understand what you’re going through. Community members also post personal stories on a variety of topics — including their experiences with treatment — and participate in regular virtual meetups.

 

Join the discussion

In Treatment for Breast Cancer forum