Breast Cancer Awareness Mental Health Support

While breast cancer is a physical illness, it is one with significant mental health impact too.

People with a breast cancer diagnosis during and after treatment may experience a wide range of feelings, such as anxiety, depression, sadness, anger, fear, and frustration. These feelings may be normal reactions to distressing life events and most of the time are temporary. If negative feelings become overwhelming or chronic, it is important to seek help so they can be treated before they worsen and impair daily function, compromise quality of life, and/or interfere with breast cancer treatment.

In addition to severe or persistent negative emotions, additional signs of distress include:

• Lack of restful sleep
• Constant fatigue or pain
• Withdrawal from social interactions or enjoyable activities
• Not eating well or exercising
• Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs to manage negative emotions

There are may ways to address these emotions so they do not impact day-to-day life. If you or someone you know is in the midst of treatment or treatment is fully completed and are experiencing depression or other mental health symptoms, do not hesitate to seek mental health support.

• This can include self-care and talking to loved ones and friends, or engaging in community activities.
• Find support group referrals through oncology and primary care teams, infusion centers, or friends, and family.
• Look for a mentor that has experienced breast cancer.
• Use one of many support lines available specific to breast cancer. There are many resources, support groups, and programs available for those living with breast cancer before, during and after treatment. Here are a few to start with:
  • American Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery program, which connects participants with breast cancer survivors for one-on-one support
  • Firefly Sisterhood provides free, personalized one-to-one support for women who have been impacted by a breast cancer diagnosis.
  • The Cancer Support Community’s (Gilda’s Club) Support Line at (888) 793-9355
  • Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer & Depression inside the emotions of living with metastatic breast cancer
  • Susan G. Komen Breast Care Helpline at (877) 465-6636 or emailing helpline@komen.org

Remember, you are not alone. There is hope. ♥