Each year in the United States, about 255,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and 42,000 women die from the disease. It is the second most common cancer in women, behind skin cancer. To honor those still fighting and those who have passed away, below are some tips to help you approach breast cancer awareness month.
Live in the moment. During this month, you may find that many memories resurface–some may be pleasant and some, you probably don’t want to think about. Concentrate on the memories that make you happy, but remember to live for the day. Dwelling on negative parts of the past or trying to think of how things could have been different will just make you feel worse.
Appreciate what you do have. Expressing gratitude can help you heal emotionally. Think about all of the things that are positive in your life. It can be a healthy habit to develop year-round.
Avoid anger. It can be upsetting to see celebrations and hear stories of recovery, but feeling angry about your situation isn’t going to contribute to your emotional or physical health. You don’t have to try to be happy about it, but try not to let it stress you. Stress can be detrimental to your health.
Find other ways to contribute to the month. Not feeling the pink party? You can contribute to breast cancer organizations and hospitals in other ways. Donate money or your time by volunteering at the facility where you or your loved one has or had treatment. Find groups that put together care packages or make meals for people currently in treatment. You can even create your own event! There are so many opportunities to contribute to Breast Cancer Awareness Month during the month of October and all year long.
Seek support. Seeking the support of family or friends can provide you with an outlet to talk about your feelings. You may also want to consider speaking with a mental health professional. There are also many support groups for both cancer patients and their family members. Check out some of the resources listed below:
- Reach to Recovery through the American Cancer Society –Telephone and face-to-face support (depending on your area) available for breast cancer patients and information for loved ones. For more information, call 1-800-227-2345 for assistance.
- Cancer Support Community – Online, in-person and telephone support for cancer patients and their loved ones.
- CancerCare – This organization provides services such as counseling, workshopsand support groups online, in person and via telephone for patients and family members. They also help with financial resources for those looking for assistance with treatment costs and expenses related to cancer.
- Susan G Komen Foundation – This well-known breast cancer organization has a lot of information about support groups for patients and their loved ones. They also have a breast cancer support line: 1-877-GO-KOMEN (1-877-465-6636).
Allow yourself time to grieve. Grief is a natural process that everyone experiences when they lose someone. Key things to keep in mind about grief:
- Grief is not linear; you may start to feel better, but then may feel bad again.
- Everyone grieves differently.
- There is no set timeline on grief. Some people may grieve for a few months; others may grieve for years.
- By grieving you come to terms with your loss, so avoid delaying or suppressing the emotions.
Did You Know? In addition to Health Advocate and the resources listed above, all benefits eligible employees and members of their household may use Talkspace, a free text therapy app for five weeks per issue. Visit the GW EAP page for details.
