| Cancer requires scrupulous medical and surgical | | | | Recovery program, or simply talking to women who |
| treatment. Nonetheless, certain alternative therapies | | | | have recovered from breast cancer, can be |
| may play an adjunctive role in its care. | | | | reassuring. Concerns about physical appearance |
| | | | following a mastectomy are normal. However, |
| Herbal Medicine | | | | women who do not undergo immediate breast |
| Herbalists have long recommended tropical periwinkle | | | | reconstruction are usually relieved to find that, with a |
| to treat breast cancer and other malignancies. | | | | well fit prosthesis, they can wear most of their |
| Indeed, a periwinkle alkaloid is used to make | | | | clothing without anyone being able to tell they have |
| vincristine, a very potent chemotherapy agent. | | | | had this surgery. Initially, use a temporary prosthesis |
| Oncologists stress, however, that this drug should be | | | | such as cotton fluff inserted into your regular bra, or |
| used only under careful medical supervision rather | | | | one that is slightly larger to accommodate bandages. |
| than to resort to herbal periwinkle extracts, which | | | | lake this to the hospital with you to avoid the stress |
| can be highly toxic. | | | | of finding something to wear for the trip home. After |
| | | | healing is complete, plan to shop for a permanent |
| Meditation, Self Hypnosis And Visualization | | | | prosthesis. Some regular lingerie departments sell |
| Studies indicate that women with advanced breast | | | | breast prostheses, but you may feel more |
| cancer who participate in group support sessions that | | | | comfortable and find a wider selection at a specialty |
| include these techniques have significantly longer | | | | shop. Make sure that you tryon several different |
| survival rates than those who do not. Scientists have | | | | types. Prices vary, but many insurance policies and |
| not yet been able to explain this effect, but some | | | | Medicare cover at least part of the cost. If you |
| theorize that the methods mobilize the immune | | | | cannot find a ready-made prosthesis that looks and |
| system to fight the further spread of cancer. | | | | feels right, consider investing in a customized one |
| Nutrition Therapy | | | | made to match exactly the contour of your other |
| Some nutritionists recommend daily supplements of | | | | breast. |
| beta carotene (precursor to vitamin A) and vitamins | | | | A prosthesis usually is not necessary after a |
| C and E, both to help prevent cancer and to slow its | | | | lumpectomy, but a bra should be worn day and night |
| growth. However, studies suggest that foods high in | | | | for several days following surgery to prevent traction |
| these antioxidants are more effective. Good sources | | | | of the wound and to help the breast regain its |
| of beta carotene are orange and dark green | | | | previous shape. Self help measures can help to |
| vegetables and yellow and orange fruits; of vitamin | | | | minimize common complications affecting the arm and |
| C, many fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits | | | | hand on the mastectomy side. To minimize swelling, |
| and bell peppers; of vitamin E, wheat germ, legumes, | | | | exercise your arm as soon as your surgeon says it is |
| seafood, and poultry. Although the role of other | | | | okay. Lift it as high as you comfortably can several |
| dietary components remains controversial, some | | | | times a day to promote the flow of lymph. Also, |
| studies suggest that a low-fat diet may cut the risk | | | | "walk" your fingers up a wall as high as possible and |
| of breast cancer and its recurrence. Such a regimen | | | | do isometric, or pumping, exercises for the hand such |
| requires limiting the intake of all fats, especially those | | | | as squeezing a rubber ball. If arm swelling still occurs, |
| from animals, as well as animal protein, while | | | | talk to your doctor about wearing an elastic sleeve |
| increasing foods high in fiber, such as whole grain | | | | to reduce swelling and improve lymph flow. If lymph |
| products and fresh fruits and vegetables. Other | | | | nodes have been removed, the arm and hand on |
| nutrition therapists and some naturopaths may | | | | that side are more vulnerable to infection. It is best |
| recommend extreme macrobiotic and other | | | | to avoid anything that constricts or burdens them. |
| restricted, low calorie diets for breast cancer patients. | | | | Wear loose fitting clothing and switch your watch |
| Oncologists warn that these diets should be avoided | | | | and purse to the opposite arm. Also have blood |
| because they do not provide adequate calories, | | | | drawn or blood pressure measured on the opposite |
| protein, and other nutrients that the body needs for | | | | arm. Try to minimize cuts or injuries; for example, |
| recovery or to prevent the wasting that occurs in | | | | use an electric razor if you shave underarm hair; |
| advanced cancer. Yog regular practice of yoga, | | | | wear protective gloves for gardening and other |
| meditation, and other relaxation techniques can help | | | | tasks; and use special care when trimming nails and |
| alleviate the stress and anxiety caused by cancer, | | | | cuticles. If you do get a cut or burn, wash it |
| which in turn may boost immune system function. | | | | immediately with soap and water and apply an |
| Self Treatment | | | | antiseptic plus an antibiotic cream. Consult your |
| Increasingly, women are expected to playa decision | | | | doctor promptly if an infection develops. |
| making role in their overall treatment. This demands | | | | Other Causes of Breast Symptoms |
| being well informed and not hesitating to question | | | | Many women experience swelling and tenderness of |
| your doctor and voice your concerns. Under the best | | | | the breasts as part of premenstrual syndrome. |
| of circumstances, a diagnosis of breast cancer is | | | | Benign fibrocystic breast lumps are also exceedingly |
| psychologically devastating. Joining a support group | | | | common. Nursing mothers often develop mastitis, a |
| such as the American Cancer Society's Reach to | | | | bacterial breast infection. |