Table Of Content

Supporting your mental health is a crucial part of breast cancer treatment, especially when navigating recurrence.

Receiving a breast cancer recurrence diagnosis can be devastating. As you work with your cancer care team to explore treatment options, it’s also important to consider ways to care for your psychological health.

Mental health treatment options, such as counseling and support groups, can help you cope with a breast cancer recurrence and build the emotional resilience you’ll need to stick to your treatment plan.

When it comes to prioritizing mental health, people with diagnosed breast cancer recurrence have many treatment options. Here are a few types of treatments and techniques to consider.

Psychology, psychiatry, or counseling

This typically involves meeting in person with a therapist for regular sessions to talk about what you’re going through. These one-on-one sessions typically take place in a private practice, hospital, or healthcare center.

Your therapist may also incorporate techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you manage negative thought patterns and establish healthier routines.

The overall goal of therapy is to help you process your feelings and develop strategies to help you manage your challenging emotions. Psychiatrists may also prescribe medication to help your mental health.

It’s helpful to find a provider that specializes in cancer and oncology and understands what you’re experiencing.

Your primary care physician or your health insurance company can help you find a mental health professional in your area.

You can also look for a psychologist using the American Psychology Association’s search tool. If you need to seek help quickly, MentalHealth.gov recommends a crisis line and a treatment referral line.

Teletherapy

Certain types of mental health care, like counseling and psychology, can be done virtually through teletherapy. You can receive teletherapy through video chat, phone calls, and even text messaging.

If you’re new to the idea of therapy, teletherapy can be a good way to start. It’s easy to schedule a visit and choose your preferred mode of communication. It can all take place in the comfort of your own home.

Teletherapy is also a good option for people who live in more rural areas and have trouble finding the right providers nearby. As with in-person therapy, finding a provider with experience working with people with cancer diagnoses will offer you the most benefit.

Some research suggests that mental health telemedicine can be as effective as traditional in-person mental health services.

You can find a list of popular online therapy services to consider through the American Psychological Association.

Cancer support groups

Support groups offer the opportunity for people with recurring cancer to connect with others who are going through a similar experience. These groups give you the opportunity to talk about your emotions and feel less alone.

Some in-person support groups are led by professionals, while others are a little more informal. They get together regularly, typically weekly or monthly.

Online support groups are also available, which can be a great option if there are no in-person groups near you.

You can find a cancer support group through the National Cancer Institute or the American Cancer Society.

CancerCare, a national organization that provides support services for people affected by cancer, has a free, 15-week online support group specifically for people with breast cancer. They also have other resources to help you find the right breast cancer support group.

Some other options to consider are support group events and meetings hosted by:

Mind-body practices

Research suggests that mind-body practices like yoga, tai chi, meditation, and qigong can help reduce feelings of stress and improve quality of life among people diagnosed with cancer. These practices can be especially beneficial when used in conjunction with other options, like therapy.

Ask around to learn about practices from private teachers in your community or nearby cities. You may also be able to find online videos, apps, or programs that you can sign up for to do at your own pace.

Spiritual services

Religious counselors and prayer may help some people maintain a positive attitude and find more meaning in life during times of stress. It can also help you bridge any disconnect you’ve been feeling as a result of your diagnosis.

You can access spiritual services through your local church, mosque, synagogue, or other religious centers.

Massage therapy

While not typically considered a mental health treatment, massage therapy may help alleviate one of the main symptoms of stress: muscle tension. It can be a deeply relaxing experience that can also promote a sense of calm for people with cancer.

There are a variety of different types of massage, like Swedish, deep tissue, or craniosacral. You may need to experiment with a few different types in order to discover which one helps you the most.

You can find a massage therapist through the American Massage Therapy Association.

It’s common for a breast cancer diagnosis or recurrence to be a distressing experience.

Research has shown that anywhere between 10% and 32% of women experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis.

A study conducted from 2004 to 2010 tracked more than 244,000 people diagnosed with cancer and found that 11,457 participants were diagnosed with mental health challenges, including mood and anxiety disorders, after finding out they had cancer.

While no two people react to a diagnosis of breast cancer recurrence in the same way, many will experience intense emotions as they cope with the news and explore treatment options. That’s why it’s so important to seek the support you need.

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed or upset over a breast cancer recurrence. However, negative emotions can impact your ability to adjust to treatment and maintain lifestyle habits that can benefit your health. You may find it difficult to sleep well, exercise, eat healthy meals, or tap into your social support network.

Negative feelings may also drive people to turn to alcohol, cigarettes, and other substances, which could impact treatment.

Mental health can also impact your physical health. A 2023 study of 235,404 participants found that depression increases the risk of a cancer diagnosis.

Tapping into mental health resources can give you the tools you need to cope with cancer recurrence, stay strong through treatment, and make positive changes in your life.

Plus, research shows that psychological interventions can improve health outcomes for cancer patients.

Sometimes, the emotional toll of breast cancer recurrence and the stress of ongoing treatment can turn into something more serious.

Here are some signs that you should seek help to prioritize your mental health:

  • excessive feelings of sadness
  • inability to focus or a sense of detachment from reality
  • trouble performing everyday activities
  • significant mood swings
  • excessive fears or worries that affect your daily routine
  • withdrawal from people and activities you love
  • feeling significantly more or less hungry than usual
  • extreme tiredness and very low energy
  • insomnia or other sleep problems
  • aches or pains from an unknown source
  • consuming high levels of alcohol or other issues with substance misuse

Taking care of your mental health is vital to your physical health, your sense of well-being, and your ability to manage daily life with cancer. It’s common for people to experience difficult feelings while living with cancer, and seeking help can make a difference.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Taking care of your mental health is an important component of your treatment plan. It can also help improve your outlook.

Mental health services, such as support groups, teletherapy, and one-on-one counseling, can provide emotional and psychological support.

Complementary and alternative medicine, such as massage therapy and meditation, can also help reduce stress and promote relaxation, which can improve your quality of life.