Breast Cancer + Mental Health
“Connecting the mind and body is not just a health strategy. It is a movement of consciousness that can change the world.” Matthew Sanford
October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we observed World Mental Health Day earlier in the month. To the CHILL team, promoting mental health while supporting physical health are inextricably connected, and October was as good a time as any to be reminded of this.
It comes as no shock that a breast cancer diagnosis would stir up a range of emotions and, with that, have adverse impacts on mental health. There is the stress and anxiety about what a cancer diagnosis means and what may lie ahead. Fears over potential physical changes such as hair loss, mastectomy and adverse side effects from new prescriptions such as chemotherapy. There is concern over how this will impact intimate and personal relationships. During this time it is important to understand and support your mental health as much as you do your physical health. Mindfulness and meditation practices are great ways to help you be more present in the moment, easing panic about the future. They can help you manage your stress levels and support symptoms such as fatigue and pain. Mindful-movement such as stretching and yoga are also good ways to help manage stress and anxiety. Nearly 32% of cancer survivors report current or past use of mind–body interventions such as meditation and yoga to promote emotional and physical well-being and to reduce psychological distress.
Many recent studies have shown mindfulness-based solutions are effective in supporting those diagnosed with breast cancer. A 2022 study exploring the effects of mindfulness and yoga in early-stage breast cancer patients concluded they aid in alleviating anxiety and depression. Another study from 2019 found increased mindfulness is associated with lower pain, fatigue and distress for women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The results showed that, “higher mindfulness was associated with lower symptom levels including lower pain severity, pain interference, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance.” Another study, published in 2020, investigated the effectiveness of yoga on the quality of life of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Researchers determined yoga practices were effective in improving quality of life in both emotional and physical ways during the period of chemotherapy including a decrease of fatigue, insomnia, constipation and loss of appetite.
Whether you or someone you know is dealing with breast cancer or any other scary diagnosis, it is important to support both mental and physical health. This is a lesson that should stick with us in October and beyond.
Less stress, more mindfulness - it’s good for you. Take the time to CHILL.
