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breast cancer awareness
Photo by photographer Ryan Cordwell for Wanderlust Festival
4 ways to take back control from breast cancer
It is no secret that dealing with breast
cancer is hard. It can turn lives upside
down, inspiring concerns on topics as
wide-ranging as maintaining daily routines,
paying for treatment and life expectancy.
Underlying it all is its emotional toll.
According to a survey by Ford Warriors in
Pink, 44 percent of breast cancer patients
report needing help maintaining a positive
outlook, while 43 percent report needing
help maintaining their self-confi dence.
As supporters, we want to alleviate the burdens
on our loved ones, yet only 28 percent
of Americans say they know how to
best support a patient during and aft er
treatment.
Although the emotional journey of cancer
is complex and there is no one-size-fi tsall
solution, there are ways you can help
those experiencing it feel more in control
of their situation. Encourage your loved
ones to engage in activities that nourish
their spirit and support them in pursuing
avenues for self-care to help them maintain
a positive outlook on life.
Expand your world. Many patients feel
as though breast cancer takes hold of their
life as its own. Remind your loved one that
cancer is not the center of their world by
encouraging them to pursue their passions.
“Amidst chemo and radiation, you’re constantly
fi nishing battles. But when life is
constantly pushing you down, you need
more wins. So I decided to hike through
the rainforest in Colombia immediately
post radiation,” says breast cancer survivor
Lara Mehanna. Participating in new experiences
- even those in your own hometown
- can allow those who have been
touched by breast cancer to refocus on
their spirit. Treat your loved one to an
experience that aligns with their interests,
like a local pottery or cooking class, to provide
a much-needed outlet as they continue
their fi ght.
Create peace of mind. Mindful meditation
is one method of self-care that helps
lower anxiety and stress. As part of her
“integrated care” treatment plan, breast
cancer survivor Ana Mostaccero practiced
meditation and visualization exercises
prior to surgery. “Doing these exercises
helped me to not only reduce stress, but to
begin practicing an all-around mindful life
with heightened perspective and appreciation
for what my mind and body were
experiencing.” Help your loved one tap
into their own inner peace by making meditation
easily accessible to them. Popular
personal meditation app Headspace off ers
meditations specifi c to every phase of the
cancer journey.
Channel your chi. Breast cancer oft en
brings feelings of being betrayed by your
body. “It took a long time to learn to
trust my body again,” says survivor Amber
Tumbow. “For so long it felt like my own
body turned against me in a constant state
of battle. I began practicing yoga, and slowly
but surely I was able to feel more in control.”
Because yoga is a gentle exercise with
a variety of modifi cations, it can be a manageable
exercise for patients at diff erent
stages of their journey. Start a regular yoga
practice with your loved one to encourage
regular activity, keep them motivated,
and help them reconnect with their bodies.
Look for programs like the Wanderlust
21-Day Challenge that can be done at
home and are designed especially with
breast cancer patients in mind.
Empower with community. Cancer can
feel alienating. While patients undoubtedly
appreciate the support of family and
friends, they can also feel like no one
understands what they are going through.
Connecting with others who have also
experienced cancer can help patients feel
less alone. “Th e greatest blessing was support
from fellow survivors, the Models
of Courage community,” shares survivor
Jessica Ayers. “Being diagnosed so young,
I felt alone. Hearing the stories of those
who had gone through the same thing
as me, and seeing their strength as they
off ered support, advice and love completely
changed my outlook on my disease. It
turned me into a warrior.”
No matter what you choose to do, it’s
important to let your loved ones know that
you are there to support them, on days good
and bad. By doing so, you can provide vital
support for making your loved one’s journey
just a little bit easier. For free patient
support resources such as Headspace meditations
and the Wanderlust 21-day yoga
challenge visit www.fordcares.com.
Courtesy BPT