THE EMOTIONAL SIDE OF BREAST CANCER: RECOGNISING AND COPING WITH THE INVISIBLE WOUNDS

Battling breast cancer results in physical, mental, and emotional wounds that require comprehensive care. Many patients struggle to understand or manage the emotional impact, which can persist during and after treatment. Recognising and addressing these invisible wounds is essential for recovery

Dr Karishma Kirti

Start Acknowledgment

Facing the demon of treatment and understanding its emotional recuperations is essential to ease your coping method and find a way out. Treatment also involves talking about the emotional battles to manage emotions and turmoil, to find a way out, and to be in a position to relax and fight better.

The acknowledgement can come in the form of talking freely with close ones, penning thoughts or emotions in a diary or journal, giving your emotions a creative outlet like painting, and even allowing the negative emotions to come out naturally for closure.

Self-care and Loving Yourself

The real test in recognising and treating emotional wounds comes with caring for and loving yourself, despite the crushing emotional chaos and negativity. Once you acknowledge the emotions reflecting from the treatment, you find the moments of loving yourself for who you truly are.

Simple acts of enjoyment and doing what you love consistently can be therapeutic. Allow yourself to follow your passions and hobbies for inner peace. They become a balm on your wounds. Something as simple as listening to music or reading a book helps you relax.

Simple physical activities like Yoga, simple exercise routines, Tai Chi and walking boost physical and mental health and leave you positive. Regular meditation and Pranayama go a long way in emotional and physical positivity.

Make Things Manageable

Breast cancer detection and resultant treatment can be physically and emotionally overwhelming. It can leave you with innumerable wounds that seem unmanageable. In such a scenario, start with managing or doing things on a smaller scale.

Consider each completion as a victory and later shift. It can be finishing a small treatment schedule to ensure you eat right. Continue speaking with your loved ones about anything like help understanding things or venting. You are not weak. You are walking towards recovery.

Taking someone supportive for treatment or check-ups gives reassurance in case you are stuck or need to talk about your journey. Start asking questions about anything that confuses or scare you. Apart from the oncologists and other cancer specialists, the cancer support groups always ease your physical and emotional journey by removing doubts.

Each day is a new experience and a chance to replenish yourself emotionally and heal from the invisible wounds that are a part and parcel of breast cancer treatment.

The author — Dr. Karishma Kirti is a Consultant Breast Specialist and Oncoplastic Surgeon