Heart problems caused by chemotherapy
The American heart association has warned that in patients with breast cancer to chemotherapy and radiation can cause heart failure, cardiomyopathy and other serious heart problems, are more likely to occur at treatment after several years, but patients should not evade the treatment because of this, association recommends that after chemotherapy of breast cancer patients through regular and long lasting health diet to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Other studies reported that some chemotherapy drugs may have adverse effects on the heart, including Anthracyclines, Mitoxantrone, Paclitaxel, Docetaxel, Trastuzumab (Herceptin), and Pertuzumab(Perjeta).Therefore, it is better to test the cardiac function before chemotherapy, and the situation should be closely monitored by the doctor during chemotherapy, and the dosage should not exceed the recommended maximum cumulative dose.
Another chemotherapy drug commonly used in breast cancer is Cyclophosphamide (Endoxan® cancer star), which is used in high doses (& GT;Acute cardiomyopathy and heart failure can occur at 100mg/kg/day, but this dose is usually used for blood tumors or bone marrow metastasis, and is much lower for breast cancer.
2. Anxiety, depression, tiredness, pain
During chemotherapy, although drugs do not affect mood, chemotherapy is always a stressful thing. It is normal for patients to have emotional problems such as panic, loss of control and crying. The need to seek the assistance of a psychologist depends on the individual situation of the patient.Family members, fellow travelers, and social workers can all provide emotional support, but if suicidal tendencies occur, of course, you should seek help from a psychologist.
Cognitive function
A small percentage of breast cancer patients develop cognitive decline after chemotherapy known as Chemo Brain problems.The main manifestations are decline in learning ability, memory impairment, language disorder, attention deficit, executive ability reduction, etc.Scientists have found that some of these conditions are caused by chemotherapy drugs that continue to affect brain cells and even induce central nervous system degeneration after treatment. They may also be caused by treatment-related fatigue, depression and anxiety.Some patients quickly develop this condition, but it lasts a short time;Some people will have longer term changes, but the cause is still unknown.
Patients with this problem can try the following activities to improve their quality of life:
I. Live simply and don’t try to do too many things at once
Ii. Detail what needs to be done each day and where to put everything
Iii. Repeat to increase the impression
Iv. Find a quiet place to talk to people
V. Eating more vegetables contributes to brain health, regular exercise, adequate rest and sleep
Keep your mind sharp by doing more crossword puzzles, sudoku puzzles or learning a new language
Lymphedema
Lymphatic system is the lymphatic fluid in the body flows through lymphatic channels to lymph nodes throughout the body, filtering and eliminating harmful bacteria and viruses, and protecting the body from infection.Lymph nodes are concentrated in joints such as the armpits, groin, abdomen, chest and around the neck.When the lymphatic system presents some physical obstacles, the accumulated lymph fluid will flow from the lymphatic vessels to the skin layer due to excessive osmotic pressure, forming lymphedema.
Lymphedema is a chronic condition that can develop months or even years after receiving breast treatment, while Axillary lymph node dissection (Axillary lymph node dissection) or radiotherapy can damage the lymph nodes, thereby obstructing lymph flow.Early signs are: upper arm pain, upper limb appearance, and so on.Lymphedema is not treatable, but it can control swelling and reduce the risk of cellulitis, while improved limb function, physical therapy and massage and drainage can all help to improve discomfort.
5. Osteoporosis
Breast cancer patients have the opportunity to undergo chemotherapy, and some patients may have ovarian function degradation due to chemotherapy.If a woman is still menstruating and has a positive hormone receptor for breast cancer, she may use a hormone inhibitor or a single estrogen receptor inhibitor, which prevents the pituitary gland from secreting gonadins and further prevents the ovary from secreting estrogen to control and treat the condition.
No matter before or after menopause, patients treated with hormone inhibitors will have problems with bone muscle soreness and osteoporosis, so pay attention to the prevention of osteoporosis.
To prevent osteoporosis, increase the exposure to sunlight and absorb vitamin D, and do aerobic and weight-bearing exercise, supplemented by muscle strength training, to help increase bone density.Dietary advice to eat food containing calcium, such as black sesame and shrimp, but also to absorb good protein, such as beef, eggs, green vegetables, and seafood, and so on.
Menopause related symptoms
Female hormone for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients, is would lead to rapid cell hyperplasia of breast cancer, so many breast cancer patients should be long-term use of hormone drug resistance, and different levels of menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, headache, body aches, temper is not stable, anxiety, insomnia, heart palpitations, difficult to concentrate, frequent urination, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection, vaginal dryness, etc.
Menopause is a time when a woman’s ovaries begin to fail and their ovaries reduce production of the important female hormone oestrogen, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and bone fractures.Whether estrogen absorption should be increased depends on individual circumstances and should be discussed in advance with the attending physician.In fact, in addition to taking estrogen enhancing drugs, you can also improve the situation through diet, such as eating more soy protein, black sesame seeds and vitamin E
7. Intimacy
After mastectomy, patients with breast cancer will have different physiological and psychological conditions.In terms of sexual activity, the frequency of sexual activity and excitement period of breast cancer patients after surgery were significantly lower than those of normal patients.Physiologically, because the wound needs to heal after the operation, and the sexual life will be affected by the wound pain, so it is not suitable to have sex during the period.
In addition, need chemotherapy patients after the operation, in the course of anti-nausea drugs, used to cause a decline in patients with the hormone, causing vaginal atrophy, appear dry, itching, burning, odor and discharge, and in sex, will also feel pain because of vaginal dryness, these cases will also inhibit sexual desire.If vaginal dryness and pain, you can try to use a weak acid moisturizing gel.The gel can retain water to plump up vaginal cells, maintain the weak acid environment of the vagina, avoid bad bacteria infection, alleviate vaginal dryness, and is more suitable for long-term maintenance and sexual intercourse.
On the psychological side, there are also opportunities to influence the coordination of sexual life due to changes in physical appearance and different myths, such as the belief that cancer can be transmitted through sexual contact, or even that sexual life may induce recurrence of breast cancer.In fact, the husband’s loving consideration, patient and careful support is the most important key.
* hope foundation published the following url link to cancer woman carcinoma after happiness, patients can be read on https://www.ecancer.org.tw/CustomizationPage6.aspx?CustID=11&UnitID=10092&page=2#prettyPhoto[inline2]/0/
8. Sleep disorders
Cancer cells can cause systemic metabolic and immune disorders, as well as physiological problems such as pain and physical exhaustion.Psychologically, about 30 to 60 percent of breast cancer patients suffer from insomnia due to worry and anxiety.
Therefore, the treatment of insomnia, but also in health and psychological aspects of both.Physiologically, try to take serotonin, norepinephrine or dopamine drugs to avoid mood and sleep disturbances while relying on hypnotics;Taking sleeping pills increases the risk of sleepiness during the day and of confusing the sleep-wake cycle.
In any case, the best thing is not to rely on drugs to improve insomnia, try to keep the sleep environment comfortable and quiet, sleep and rest regularly with light exercise such as massage, meditation and yoga;Relaxing the body and mind before going to bed and reducing the consumption of stimulating drinks can help to improve insomnia.
9. How to reduce the chance of recurrence
No matter what type of breast cancer you have, always be happy and don’t worry too much.Studies have shown that constant worry can suppress the immune system or increase the chance of relapse.But in the past, when breast cancer has recurred more than a decade after first diagnosis, studies have suggested that weight may affect the chance of recurrence.
Studies have shown that obesity can cause excessive accumulation of fat, interfere with metabolism, affect the efficacy of chemotherapy and hormone therapy, and increase the risk of recurrence and death. Therefore, it is important to maintain a balanced diet, do moderate exercise, maintain a regular life, do aerobic exercise continuously, and conduct weight management.
10. The pressure of going back to work
Unfortunately, with breast cancer, the patient’s daily routine and personal plan are suddenly disrupted, and he or she is fully engaged in coping with various treatments.After this battle, many breast cancer survivors will also find that their bodies and minds have changed to varying degrees. How should breast cancer survivors prepare to return to the workplace?
Experts have pointed out that cancer survivors should continue to do moderate exercise, maintain a healthy diet, to gradually recover the strength to cope with daily life, followed by learning to face, express and deal with their emotions, build a more intimate and harmonious relationship with their family and friends, and finally return to the community.Patients who have undergone mastectomies can choose special chest measurements to enhance their self-worth.
* Thank the Cancer Hope Foundation for its assistance in providing information and reviewing.