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Breast health maintenance after breast cancer
Maintaining long term health after breast cancer is an important aspect
of the quality and possibly the length of life. Breast
cancer treatments have progressed over the years and new advances are
being made all the time.Education on early detection, increases in research
funding, advances in treatments and reconstructive
surgery options, support groups and lifestyle changes for breast cancer
survivors are all contributing to a better quality of life for patients.
If you or someone you know is a breast
cancer patient they will always have concerns about the cancer returning.
Even after breast cancer surgery patients may still need a treatment plan
that involves months of radiation,
chemotherapy or even both
treatments. After chemo and or radiation patients may still face years
of hormonal treatments or other specific targeted treatments to maintain
good health.
After all the treatments and or surgeries every brave breast cancer patient
longs to have a normal routine and wake up feeling excited about a healthy
diagnosis and future. Dr. Corbin
has had many patients who he had performed breast reconstruction procedures
on who have told him they feel a heightened sense and appreciation for
all the little things in life. Breast cancer can change a patients perception
of a, "regular day"
Dr. Corbin's reconstructive
Breast Cancer survivor Lisa says, " I made the decision to have
my breast removed followed by chemotherapy treatments. I did it. It is
done now. There is no going back only forward. My life will be forever
altered and my body forever changed. As a breast cancer patient fighting
for life, your mission becomes very clear. You map out your plan of defense
and you ready yourself for the ultimate battle to survive. Even if you
feel like you can't or you feel like you don't have the strength you do.
We all do! We are all a lot stronger than we think we are. We just don't
know it until we are tested."
Breast cancer survivors may always deal with some concerns or fears of
reoccurrence of the disease. Even after the cancer is "gone"
and you are living a normal life cancer free your plan should include
long term maintenance. Some patients may have to have hormonal therapy
or take other medications daily, weekly, monthly or for years.
Breast Health maintenance is an ongoing process involving regular mammograms,
breast exams, MRI'S,
Pet scans and whatever other
preventative treatments your physician suggests for you.
Breast cancer can somewhat
be compared to the ongoing maintenance for other chronic conditions, like
high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. It's something patients
live with and treat for the rest of their life.
As 92 year old breast cancer and 2 time lung cancer survivor Peggy claims,
"Surviving cancer has made me stronger and more aware of taking
care of my health. Not just my breasts, but my whole body! I love life
and cherish each day I wake up to a new adventure. I have been fortunate
to have good doctors and a successful maintenance plan after my cancers."
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