Breast cancer survivors have many unique sources of stress. Although it can be hard, there are healthy ways that can help you deal with this stress.
Social Support
There are many sources of social support for breast cancer survivors through diagnosis, treatment and beyond: spouses or partners, family members, friends, coworkers/colleagues, therapists, spiritual advisors, spiritual communities (such as churches, synagogues and mosques), online/email discussion groups and health care providers. We refer to these people as co-survivors (more). Also, many survivors expand and strengthen their emotional support systems by joining a formal breast cancer support group.
Women with breast cancer who have social support tend to cope better emotionally [16-20]. Some research even shows they may have improved survival [21-24], though this is still under study [16,19,25-27].
For more information on social support and its potential benefits for breast cancer survivors, see the Social Support section.
Regular Exercise
Exercising is another way to deal with daily stress. Many people find that regular exercise makes them feel better and stronger, and helps them regain a sense of control over their bodies [28-30]. Even simple activities, such as walking several times a week, can lower stress and anxiety [30].
Updated 03/14/09
