diagnosed with breast cancer: managing treatments, support and resources

“breast cancer can be very isolating, it’s a time when you just want to dig deep and get through the treatment and get through this period of time,” says debi rosenthal, executive director of the cure foundation , a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting the financial needs of breast cancer patients across canada. rosenthal went through colon cancer in her early 40s and understands the upheaval a cancer diagnosis brings.

one in eight canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and one in 34 will die from it, according to canadian cancer society statistics . it’s the most common cancer in canadian women, excluding non-melanoma skin cancers, and the second leading cause of death from cancer in canadian women. it can also occur in men, but instances are rare. about 89 per cent of those diagnosed will live for at least five years, and advances in early detection and treatments are credited with helping more women lead fulfilling lives.

self-empowerment and finding support with breast cancer

“patients may be hearing a lot of unfamiliar terms about surgery and treatment. learning that medical lexicon can help put them at ease.” patients are advised to look at the extensive resources on the princess margaret website and call the information line with dedicated cancer support specialists .

other resources to connect with include the canadian breast cancer network , a patient-directed national organization that voices the concerns of patients through education, advocacy activities, and information sharing ( including sources for financial assistance across the country ).

young adult cancer canada helps young people deal with their cancer experience through web-based support and in-person retreats and conferences, and empowerink is an organization that sponsors post-mastectomy tattooing events where qualifying applicants are matched with tattoo artists who create tattoos over their mastectomy site.

know the importance of early breast cancer treatment and regular follow-ups

breast cancer  is an abnormal growth that forms in breast tissue that may spread to other tissues and organs, which means early detection is critical to saving lives. a key part of diagnosing breast cancer is identifying its stage, ranging from stage 0 to stage 4, depending on the size of the tumour and how far it may have spread.

breast cancer can be estrogen-receptor positive (er+) or progesterone-receptor positive (pr+) where hormonal therapies can benefit. the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (her2) protein plays a role in breast cancer as well. her2-positive breast cancers, estimated at 20 per cent of cases, happen because cells overproduce the protein, leading to uncontrolled division and growth of cancer cells. the canadian breast cancer network is a comprehensive resource for information on breast cancer stages, types and pathologies.

breast cancers caught early have a positive prognosis. they are less likely to metastasize or come back after treatment. statistics canada reports that data from the population-based canadian cancer registry from 2010 to 2017 shows the five-year net survival for female breast cancer was 99.8 per cent when diagnosed at stage 1, dropping to 91.9 per cent at stage 2, then 74 per cent at stage 3 and 23.2 per cent at stage 4.

science continues to evolve the understanding of breast cancer pathology and intervention. stanford university researchers recently have shown that women who don’t have brca mutation but have relatives who do are at no higher risk of breast cancer than relatives of patients with other types of breast cancer.

kim is particularly interested in cell-free dna screening, also known as circulating tumour dna, as potential blood-based biomarkers for both predictive information and treatment monitoring. fetal cell-free dna screening has been a cornerstone of pre-natal diagnoses of abnormalities for years but has been under-recognized in oncology because of technology limitations and associated costs. a 2022 paper in the british journal of cancer reviewed the current cancer clinical trials for cell-free dna analysis which authors say holds promise, “as a powerful tool not only to provide better patient follow-up and real-time treatment-response monitoring, but as a much-needed approach to improve cancer screening and early diagnosis.”

connect with your breast cancer care team

most often, your family doctor is your first contact in your breast cancer journey, who refers you to a cancer specialist or diagnostic assessment program. if you don’t have a family doctor, you can make an appointment at a screening centre without a doctor’s referral, according to the canadian cancer society . if the screening shows something of concern, a patient navigator will talk to you about the test results and follow-up with referral to oncology specialists.

as one nova scotia healthcare consultant told cbc , “be your own patient navigator by keeping track of when screenings are required and following up for test results after they’re done.”

when you’re referred to a diagnostic assessment program, you’ll be connected to a multidisciplinary team for tests, consultation and a treatment plan. ask to connect with an oncology social worker to help put you in touch with local, provincial and federal government resources for financial assistance, and services for peer support and mental health therapy. research has shown a higher prevalence of depression, for instance, among breast cancer patients and its impact on quality of life.

understand your breast cancer treatment

depending on the breast cancer stage, there are localized treatments for cancer that include surgery and radiation, and systemic therapies that are delivered to the entire body, like chemotherapy and hormone therapy – with different options, experts advise asking your care team what’s involved and what you can expect. the canadian cancer society has helpful questions to get you prepared . there are also clinical trials that test the safety and effectiveness of a medical treatment that you can look into for possible participation .

communication can be a hurdle for many patients who might feel lost in the system, according to all.can , an international non-profit working to improve the efficiency of cancer care. in august 2023, all.can canada released three case studies to spotlight innovative practices in canada in diagnostic assessment programs and oncology nurse navigators . everyone’s cancer journey will have its own challenges, but there have been significant strides forward in many care services.

manage your day-to-day with breast cancer

“supportive care helps people meet the physical, practical, emotional and spiritual challenges of breast cancer,” says the canadian cancer society . how you cope with what’s often described as your “new normal” is unique to the individual. most importantly, take time for self-care. that means developing a lifestyle routine that incorporates physical activity, lots of rest, good nutrition, and opportunities for social connections. be your own advocate and keep on top of your medical tests, follow-up appointments and ongoing therapies.