In the United States over 30,000 women a year receive a unilateral or bilateral mastectomy for breast cancer treatment. While having a mastectomy performed increases your chance of a positive outcome during breast cancer treatment, this procedure can wreak havoc on your mental health and self-esteem. The emotions women deal with after a breast cancer diagnosis can negatively affect their everyday lives even before their procedures. Mental health treatment is critical for mastectomy patients in the same sense you wouldn’t ignore a festering wound. As with many other medical treatments, there is no one-size-fits-all or mastectomy patients. Hopefully, I can shine a light on some of the emotional effects a mastectomy can produce and some tools for helping you cope with them positively.

Prevention, the First Step

As with any health issue, early prevention starts with you being proactive with your own health. This means knowing what to look for and regularly visiting your healthcare professionals. Even though breast cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in women, early detection can save lives. You should:

• Have a mammogram and clinical test every year for women aged 40 and over.
• For women 20-30 years old a clinical breast exam should be done every three years, while a self-breast exam should be done at your discretion.
• Younger women should choose whether and when to do a self-breast exam. This will allow women to become familiar with how their breasts normally feel and look.

Even with diligent examination and doctor visits, women can be diagnosed with breast cancer but early detection increases positive outcomes.

Mastectomy…the Unknown

It doesn’t matter what event or scenario you’re dealing with, when “the unknown” is presented it can be quite scary. Obviously, this can apply to a diagnosis of breast cancer and the specter of having to have a mastectomy. If your doctor has recommended you have a unilateral (one breast) or bilateral (both breasts) mastectomy, it’s common for women to have a wide range of emotions. Depression and mood changes are commonplace after a mastectomy and being able to deal with these emotions in a positive manner can help your overall mental well-being while going through treatment. Some emotional tools available to women of all stages of cancer include:

• Support Groups: For many women being able to discuss their emotional issues with those who are experiencing the same issue can be cathartic. A support group of those who survived breast cancer can encourage healthy dialogue and help with education during the process. Research has shown that support groups can reduce stress and anxiety that a breast cancer diagnosis brings and is an important part of breast cancer survivorship.
• Metastatic Retreats: Women who have been diagnosed with metastatic cancer means that cancer will be part of you for the rest of your life. This means breast cancer has spread to other parts of your body and can cause a very unique set of challenges and the emotions that come with it. These retreats can include oncology consultations, an understanding of hopes/fears, and even end-of-life preparations.
• Patient Relief Programs: Besides the unknown of treatment, comes the fear of the financial unknown. Financial burdens of treatment can cause stress, both financially and emotionally. Relief programs can help breast cancer patients financially for everything from food/groceries to prescription costs to home utilities.

Coping with Emotional Effects of Mastectomy

Let’s face it, a mastectomy is a huge change in your life. It should not be understated!! Women can experience a feeling of “being less attractive” or have difficulty shopping for clothes. It will take time, but you will become comfortable with their new body and even love it. Your local hospital can point you to support groups in your area or an Internet search can also provide you with support groups around you. A mastectomy can negatively affect your self-image and you may experience feelings such as:

• Physical or mental changes in their sex life. It may take time and a dialogue with your partner to become more comfortable and less self-conscious after a mastectomy.
• Depression: Any woman who experiences a mastectomy can be forgiven for experiencing a bout of depression. Believe it or not, it’s kind of normal. However, if these feelings of despair or even worthlessness interfere with your daily life they are signs of clinical depression. This is where speaking with a counselor can be worth every penny.
• Shopping: A woman’s body does change after a mastectomy, so shopping may become a different endeavor. If a woman who has had a mastectomy feels self-conscious, a mastectomy bra can help her feel more comfortable when out. Mastectomy swimsuits can make swimsuit season a little less uneasy after a mastectomy.

Our Best Mastectomy Products For Mental Wellbeing

Core Body Pillow

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