Managing The Emotional Impact Of A Mastectomy
Mastectomy is the medical term for the surgical removal of one or both breasts, either partially or completely, and is usually carried out to treat breast cancer. Surgical breakthroughs over the past two decades have given women more options than ever before, and there are now less invasive breast-conserving treatments available to many women. The one consistent factor, however, is the emotional impact of undergoing a mastectomy.
Discussing Intimacy With Your Partner
A mastectomy does not physically decrease a woman's sexual desire, nor does it decrease her ability to have vaginal lubrication or normal genital feelings, or to reach orgasm. However, it can make both partners naturally concerned about how to express their love physically and emotionally after treatment. Women specifically may feel as if they are not as 'feminine' anymore and can feel quite self-conscious.
Communication is crucial in maintaining a robust and healthy sex life after breast cancer and a mastectomy. The change will affect each partner in different ways and sharing concerns and fears will help. It's important to work together to navigate the new reality.
Considering Reconstruction
Life after a mastectomy is a new chapter for a breast cancer survivor, and like all new things, there will be an adjustment period. It’s good to keep in mind most women feel satisfaction and relief knowing they have taken control of their cancer risk after surgery. Of course, however, there can be feelings of insecurity about one's physical appearance, One option for physical repair after a mastectomy is breast reconstruction. Such a decision is purely based on the individual preferences of the patient who underwent the mastectomy.
Breast reconstruction can involve reshaping both breasts to look a certain way, even if cancer did not affect both of them. It can help restore the look and feel of the breast after a mastectomy while also helping women feel more comfortable about how they look. Although it is possible a reconstructed breast may never match the look or feel of a natural breast, this area of plastic surgery continues to improve.
Speaking With A Professional
Many women have found speaking with a therapist incredibly helpful when dealing with tough emotions following a mastectomy. Therapists, particularly ones who often deal with cancer patients, can help women deal with compromised self-image, femininity, and even feelings of anxiety and depression, where the situation calls for it. They can also recommend cancer support groups for women to attend, which can be an incredible blessing and the closest most women can get to finding others who understand what they are going through.
Women can get in touch with a therapist or other mental health professional through their primary care physician. And remember, it can often be worth it to find someone who is well practiced in dealing with cancer patients and cancer survivors.
Clothing Choices After A Mastectomy
Many patients are worried about how their clothing will fit after undergoing a mastectomy and having to purchase an entirely new wardrobe. While it is true some things may not be the same afterward, clothing can still be a source of joy and boost self-image and femininity following this surgery. For instance, there are special mastectomy bras out there that not only help women feel more comfortable during the recovery process but also help them fill out their clothing in a fashion similar to how they would before surgery. While some clothing from before surgery may not be flattering anymore, there are plenty of options out there that will be. It's simply a matter of finding them!
Keeping Up Positivity
It's no secret a mastectomy, whether it's just for one breast or both, is an extremely emotional time in a woman's life. Even though it may make sense to take action against breast cancer, it doesn't change how tough actually choosing to have the surgery and dealing with it afterward is. With this in mind, it is crucial to keep one's mind on the bright side as much as possible. This positivity can come in any number of different ways. One popular line of thinking for many older women who have had mastectomies is "well, at least I can have perky breasts now," which is in reference to breasts beginning to sag at least a little after a certain age.
Following treatment, it is important to focus on the positive. The foremost being breasts, or lack thereof, do not determine femininity. With the right amount of positivity and perseverance, patients can ultimately recover from a mastectomy with feelings of pride and strength.