BREAST CANCER STATISTICS WORLDWIDE
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION – Breast cancer: prevention and control
CANCER CARE -Counseling. Support Groups. Education. Financial Assistance.
USA NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE – Cancer Genetics Risk Assessment and Counseling (PDQ®)
In 2010, nearly 1.5 million people were told “you have breast cancer”
Dramatically, one-third of these cancer deaths could be decreased if detected and treated early. In a worldwide context, this means nearly 400,000 lives could be saved every year.
What is individual counseling?
If married or in a relationship, you may be concerned about your partner dealing with the loss of your breast(s). If you are single, you may be concerned about how this may affect your ability to attract a partner. Individual counseling allows you to discuss these issues in a private setting.
A good place to discuss these concerns is with a therapist who knows your history. If not, ask your healthcare provider for a referral. The counselor should be sensitive to breast cancer issues. Do your homework by using the Internet to check their credentials and expertise.
A good counselor will be able to help you address your concerns for the future and help you develop a new strong sense of self and sensuality. He or she will also help you
accept the new normal, possibly even a change of physical appearance, and will help you to cope with stress, depression, fear of cancer reoccurrence, and anger.
A good counselor will be able to help you address your concerns for the future and help you develop a new strong sense of self and sensuality.
What are some counseling techniques?
Many types of therapeutic approaches exist. If you have a real-time immediate crisis and want suggestions on how to solve a particular problem, you may want to choose a therapist who has experience in crisis management.
If you believe the way you are handling your diagnosis is the result of things that happened in your past, it might be helpful to work with a therapist who will examine your past. Sometimes negative thinking about a certain issue can be addressed in short-term cognitive behavior therapy, where negative thoughts are recognized replaced with more helpful functional thoughts and behaviors.
If your family or partner needs to be part of the therapeutic process, find a therapist who includes couples and family therapy. For resolving personal issues, find a therapist who will help you to integrate your past with your current situation and help to guide you to some understanding and resolution.
Some therapists have a practice that is focused on the patient who has experienced a cancer diagnosis. Others have expertise in sexuality and intimacy. Seek a therapist that will address your issues, and change therapists if your needs are not met. Some therapists can integrate a variety of differing approaches.
Some therapists practice cognitive behavioral therapy, which solves problems concerning emotions, behaviors, and thoughts through a goal-oriented and systematic procedure. Sometimes behaviors and thoughts need to be changed to help in the healing process.
Other therapists mainly may listen (talk therapy) and provide feedback and insight to the patient to correct abnormal thoughts or provide simple suggestions to change abnormal behavior. Psychoanalytic therapy and other forms of therapy may also offer some help for other patients.
Magnolia Myrick:
As a professional writer and editor, I’m in the business of creativity. As an amateur painter, avid cook, outdoors lover, and enthusiast of lots (probably too many) things, I’m in the business of creativity (and fun) in the off hours, too. This is not to trivialize all of the serious issues and responsibilities that life with cancer entails, but you don’t have to think about them all the time. Doing something that gets you out of your head and into your heart and soul-something that brings you joy—is not just important but good for you. You hear me? Good for you. It can be a tiny thing: reading a poem, baking a cake, riding a bike. Or a big thing: writing a book, teaching a class, climbing Kilimanjaro. I go to the Church of Whatever Works, and anybody can join.
Term:
Psychoanalytic therapy – A body of ideas developed by Austrian physician Sigmund Freud and continued by others. It is primarily devoted to the study of human psychological functioning and behavior, the primary focus is to reveal the unconscious content of a client’s psyche in an effort to alleviate psychic tension.
How can I explore my new sexuality after breast cancer?
Some women may not look at having a breast cancer diagnosis as a completely negative experience-their diagnosis helped them to reprioritize their lives and became a liberating experience, particularly in the area of sexuality and intimacy. Because many aspects of body and function may be physically different, a cancer diagnosis is often viewed as an opportunity to experiment sexually. Some who have lost one breast focus their lovemaking on the remaining breast.
You may find that other erotic areas are actually more sensitive to touch and arousal than your breasts were; thus, your lovemaking may have taken on a much more expanded, exciting, and sexual dimension.
According to an ancient legend, Amazon women warriors would cut off their right breasts in order to use their bows and arrows more effectively. They were excellent, strong, magnificent fighters! If it is helpful, consider yourself a warrior. Some women have had their scars tattooed with trees and flowers and butterflies.
Sometimes the face of cancer allows you to step far out of your usual comfort zone. Sexually and personally explore your limits. Do not put off what you want to do!
