Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States alone. Globally, breast cancer accounts for 12% of all new annual cancer cases. With this information, women of all ages must learn how to detect the early signs of breast cancer to prevent further deterioration of their health.
According to the latest statistics, about 85% of breast cancer patients have no family history of breast cancer. These can happen due to genetic mutations as a result of aging. If you’re one of those women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, your physician might advise you to undergo mastectomy.
Mastectomy is simply the medical terminology for the complete or partial surgical removal of either or both breasts. A mastectomy is typically performed to treat breast cancer. In some instances, patients considered to be at high risk for breast cancer are advised to have the surgery as a preemptive measure.
The mastectomy procedure itself can be lengthy, painful, and drawn out. Your choices regarding surgery and treatment will also be influenced by your age, your general physical condition, and your wishes regarding treatment.
Losing a part of your body that defines womanhood can be challenging. That’s why it takes some time to feel comfortable after mastectomy. If you’re on the road to recovery and want to feel good about your body or the way you look, here are some tips you can follow:
1. Wear The Right Bra
If you have lost one breast, it might be awkward to wear clothes because of the apparent lack of balance in your bust area. One of the ways to feel comfortable when dressing up after the operation is to use the right bra. There are many bras, like Anita bras, that offer comfortable support for mastectomy patients.
These bras can be used to conceal the loss of your breast while providing optimal support in your bust area. Some bras offer optimal support for breast prostheses if you’re wearing some.
2. Exercise Your Shoulder And Arms
After the operation, you might feel soreness or tightness on your arms and shoulder. This sensation is normal and would last for about two months after the operation. To feel more comfortable and to ease the soreness, you need to exercise your shoulder and arms.
Exercising your shoulder and arms is critical to ensure that the muscles get strong again. You can ask a physical therapist to show you some exercises you can do at home. Also, be sure to execute the exercises correctly to strain your body too much after the operation.
You can also do some yoga and meditation to relax your muscles and at the same time avoid developing depression. Doing some meditation is beneficial for your mind and body, and it will help you realize that you need to accept your current condition and focus on making yourself healthy.
3. Be Open To Your Partner
If you have a partner, you might find intimacy uncomfortable after mastectomy. You might feel that you’re losing self-confidence now that a part of your womanhood is gone. When this happens, you shouldn’t push yourself too much and always talk to your partner about your feelings. Your partner should constantly reassure you that nothing will change with your intimate relations, and they should support your recovery.
4. Talk To A Counselor
Many women go through depression after mastectomy. The insecurities and the stress of going through further treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can also contribute to negative feelings. If you’re experiencing the same, it’s best to talk to a professional who can help you manage your feelings or emotions.
One of the benefits of talking to a counselor is that they can help you feel more comfortable with your current physical condition. These professionals are trained to listen and respond to your thoughts. They know how to help you manage your fears and insecurities that came with losing a part of your body.
Final Thoughts
In general, the first few weeks after a mastectomy is the hardest. Many patients take a month or more after their surgery to start feeling better and getting used to their new body and lifestyle. The key here is patience. Most surgeons recommend that you take time off of work during the post-operative recovery process.
Becoming comfortable with your body after mastectomy is another aspect you need to work on. Although you lost a part of your body, there are ways to help you cope with this and make you feel comfortable with your new self. You can use mastectomy bras to help you stay in normal shape when you dress up. It would be best if you also continue to do arm and shoulder exercises to ensure your muscles are comfortable.
Lastly, it’s essential to talk about your feelings after the surgery. Whether you talk to your partner or a mental health professional, it’s important to voice out your concerns and insecurities rather than keeping them to yourself.
