Living with breast cancer

11-minute read

Key facts

Breast cancer may involve many emotional, physical and practical challenges, but support is available.
Breast cancer treatment may cause your body to change shape, hair loss, early menopause or loss of fertility.
Treatment and survival rates for breast cancer have improved over recent decades.
Cancer can also affect people close to you — your support people can also connect with services to help them deal with any challenges.
Continuing to work can help provide a sense of normality, but be realistic about what you can achieve during treatment.

What physical changes might happen during and after breast cancer?

Breast cancer can have many different physical effects on your body. The changes will in part depend on the type and stage of cancer you have and your breast cancer treatment. For example, this may differ if you've had chemotherapy or surgery.

Changes to body shape

If you've had breast cancer surgery, such as a mastectomy or breast conserving surgery, you may notice a change in your body size or shape. You might also have scars from surgery or the effects of treatment.

Some types of breast cancer treatment cause swelling. One example is when lymph nodes are removed or damaged, causing lymphoedema.

Body shape changes may also happen because of weight changes after diagnosis or treatment.

Hair loss

Hair loss from chemotherapy can range from mild thinning of hair to complete loss. It's OK to feel upset about hair loss, even while you are dealing with bigger health issues. You may find that it helps to wear a wig, scarf or hat while your hair grows back. You might also prefer to keep your head uncovered. What you do is your choice.

Early menopause

Younger females with breast cancer may experience early menopause because of cancer treatment. Symptoms may include hot flushes, vaginal dryness and loss of sexual desire.

Fertility

Some breast cancer treatments can affect your fertility. If you want to have children in the future, ask your treatment team about fertility and family planning before you start breast cancer treatment.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

How does breast cancer affect you emotionally?

It's common to experience a range of emotions after a diagnosis of breast cancer. You may feel shocked, angry, anxious, sad or depressed. You might wonder why breast cancer has happened to you. Some people feel quite alone or isolated.

It's important to reach out for support. You can choose to share how you're feeling with your treatment team, your partner and family members or friends you trust. For advice and to get connected to local mental health services, call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212. Check the operating times.

Coping with change

For many people, the weeks following a breast cancer diagnosis can be stressful. You might find it hard to carry out your normal activities, to think clearly, eat or sleep.

You may even feel lonely or disconnected.

It's important to give yourself time to adjust and to seek the emotional, practical, and financial support you need.

Complementary therapies might help you manage treatment side effects and improve your overall well-being. Discuss your options with your healthcare team.

Consider joining a cancer support group to connect with others sharing a similar experience to you.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

Children

Change can be unsettling for children, especially when it's caused by illness in the family. It can be hard for them to adjust, for example if their parent looks different or needs to spend time in hospital.

Your children may worry about what the diagnosis means for them. They may worry that they will be left alone or if they might also develop cancer.

You can help your child cope with their worries by talking with them. Try to answer their questions as honestly as possible using words they understand.

Get tips for talking to kids about cancer at Cancer Council NSW.

Family and friends

Your family and friends may offer to help you. They may look to you for guidance as to how, when and how much.

Tips you might suggest to a family member or friend who is looking to help include:

driving you to your appointments
helping you access financial assistance for loss of income during treatment
grocery or other shopping
helping around the house or garden
minding children or pets
'being there' when you need to talk or cry
going for a walk together, to help you get exercise or forget about cancer for a while

Family and friends may need support too. Find more advice on the Cancer Australia website.

Your partner

Your partner may feel stressed about your diagnosis, even while trying to appear strong for you. Remember that everyone copes in their own way.

Here are some tips that may help your partner and your relationship while you're living with breast cancer:

Try to be open about how you are feeling. Good communication is important.
Ask them to come with you to some or most of your appointments. This can help you, and gives your partner the chance to ask your healthcare providers questions.
Read up on breast cancer together — this way you are spending time together and learning the same things.
Ask them what they feel they can take on while you're getting treatment. They may prefer to take time off work and do more around the house, or prefer to bring in more outside help.

What are the practical aspects of living with breast cancer?

Finances

Breast cancer treatment can lead to financial stress due to added expenses and the cost of medical care. If you're not able to work or earn the same income as before, this can add to the pressure on you and your family.

To help manage these costs, consider talking to your doctor or social worker about the costs of tests and treatments. Ask if any services can be bulk billed, and to help you choose between private and public care based on your situation.

Check to see if you qualify for help via the Centrelink Payment Finder tool.

If you live in a rural area, check if you can get help with costs of travelling to your health appointments.

Keeping track of your expenses is also important for future claims or support applications.

Work

You might prefer to continue working during breast cancer treatment. You might also find it challenging, for example if you're feeling weak or dealing with side effects like fatigue or nausea.

Here are some tips for managing work while you're having treatment:

Talk to your manager — they might help you adjust your hours or set up a job share.
Check your leave options — you may have paid and unpaid leave options at work.
Ask for a different role — if your job involves physical work, check if there are other options that might suit you better while you are in treatment.
Speak with your team members — they may want to step in and help you with some of your tasks when they can.

Help in the home

Depending on your circumstances, you might be eligible for services such as in-home medical care or childcare. Ask your treatment team about government options that are available to you.

Your team may also be able to connect you with local community services that can provide help at home with daily tasks such as cleaning, transport and preparing meals.

Visit Services Australia for information on payments and services.

Resources and support

There are many support services available to help Australians live well with breast cancer:

Call the Breast Cancer Network Australia's (BCNA) helpline on 1800 500 258 for information about living with breast cancer. Connect with a BCNA online support group to share experiences and seek advice.
Breast Cancer Network Australia has information on Financial and Practical Assistance including the benefits, subsidies and services you may be able to access.
Call Cancer Council on 13 11 20 for free, confidential telephone information and support. The Cancer Council can also help you access a range of practical support, such as wig services, legal and financial support.
Ask about how to access a Look Good Feel Better workshop in person or online, or request a home-delivered confidence kit to help manage changes to the way you look after breast cancer treatment.