Breast cancer treatment: patients ‘ dual physical and psychological challenges
Introduction
Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant neoplasms in women, and the treatment of breast cancer is becoming more and more varied as medical technology advances, but the treatment process is a difficult journey for patients, both physical and psychological. Understanding these challenges is important for patients, families and health-care providers to better respond to the treatment process and improve the quality of life of patients.
Physical challenges
Challenges related to surgery
Surgical surgery is one of the important tools for breast cancer treatment. For most patients, mammography can bring about a significant change in the physical image. This is not only a physical creation, but also an impact on the self-esteem and self-identification of patients. Even breast protection can leave visible scars on breasts, affecting beauty. Moreover, the risk of anaesthesia, haemorrhage, infection, etc. during surgery are also potential problems. After the operation, patients may face restrictions on upper limb activity, especially when the return flow of upper limb lymphoma is blocked after the armpit lymphomy clean-up, and is prone to oedema, resulting in heavy upper limbs and swelling, which can seriously affect the daily life of the patient, such as wearing clothes and raising hands.
The pain of chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy can also cause damage to normal cells while killing cancer cells. Disgusting, vomiting is one of the most common adverse effects of the chemotherapy process, and severe vomiting can lead to poor diet, leading to loss of weight and malnutrition. Hair loss is also a clear side effect of chemotherapy, and for many female patients, the loss of hair is a challenge to their female character and can put psychological stress on them. In addition, chemotherapy can lead to bone marrow inhibition, reducing the number of white cells, red cells and blood panels. Reductions in white cells increase the risk of infection, with frequent signs of infection, such as fever, cough, etc.; reductions in red cells can cause anaemia, and patients can feel weak and dizzy; reductions in slabs can lead to haemorrhage, such as nose and mouth bleeding.
The side effects of the treatment.
Treatment is also important in breast cancer treatment, but there are a range of reactions in the skin of the region. It may initially be light red spots and itching, and as the treatment continues, the skin may be colored, dry, decrum and, in serious cases, ulcers, seeps, seeps and pains. Moreover, therapeutic treatment may affect the normal tissues and organs around them, such as the potential for radioactive pneumonia in the lungs, which can be characterized by coughing and short-temperature symptoms; the heart may also be exposed to a certain level of radiation, in particular left-hand breast cancer, which in the long term may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Long-term effects of endocrine treatment
Endocrine treatment is an important treatment for breast cancer patients who are estrogen-positive. However, long-term endocrine treatment drugs can cause a number of adverse effects, such as heat and sweat, similar to menopause symptoms, which affect the quality of sleep and the comfort of the patient. At the same time, they can have an impact on the bone, cardiovascular system, increase the probability of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease and perpetuate a chronic disease.
Psychological challenges
Fear and anxiety.
At the moment when breast cancer is diagnosed, patients are often caught in great fear. Fear of death, fear of the pain of the treatment process and fear of the post-disease are intertwined and create a strong sense of anxiety. The mental state of the patient ‘ s sleep and appetite is affected and further weakens the patient ‘ s physical resistance.
Physical image change and loss of self-esteem
As mentioned earlier, changes in the physical image resulting from treatments such as surgery, such as the loss of breasts or the formation of scars, can give rise to a sense of inferiority. In social settings, patients may feel different from others and fear being treated differently. This negative perception of physical images can seriously affect the self-esteem of patients, leading them to retreat from interpersonal relationships and even to depression.
Social isolation
Patients tend to reduce social activities due to physical discomfort and psychological stress during treatment. On the one hand, they may feel that they do not have the energy to engage in socialization; on the other hand, fears of a change in their physical image also allow them to avoid contact with others. Long-term social isolation can lead to a worsening psychological state, lack of emotional support and isolation and helplessness.
Emotional fluctuations and depression
During the treatment of breast cancer, patients are prone to great emotional fluctuations due to physical pain and psychological stress. From hope for treatment to frustration with adverse reactions, these emotional changes may evolve into depression. Patients may lose interest in their lives and feel that there is no hope for the future, or even suicidal thoughts. This depression not only affects the mental health of the patient, but also has a negative impact on the dependence of treatment and reduces its effectiveness.
Conclusions
The physical and psychological challenges faced by patients in breast cancer treatment are multifaceted and complex. Health-care providers also need to pay attention to the patient ‘ s physical and mental state, as well as to the timely provision of psychological guidance and palliative measures for physical symptoms. Families must also give their patients full understanding and support to help them through this difficult period. For their part, the patients must face up to these challenges actively by strengthening their confidence in the fight against disease, improving their quality of life and striving to remain optimistic and strong on the path to combating cancer, through communication with health-care providers and their families and by participating in mutual assistance groups for patients.
