Skip to main content

Breast Cancer Treatment: How to Choose Your Doctor and Get Your Body & Confidence Back

What’s the big deal about breast cancer – lets dig into some facts. 

Also, do read: If Yuvi can, You can! 

Breast Cancer Facts You Should Know
Take a look at these breast cancer facts:

1.  In 1 out of 10 women, doctors say the cause of breast cancer is genetic. This means if your grandmother, mother or any family member has it, you are at a higher risk than other women.
2.  Regular breast self-examination will help to detect lumps or any symptoms early. The earlier you find out, the better for you. If detected early, you may not have to remove a breast and may require only a minor surgery.
3.   Don’t EVER ignore the early signs. Your body is TRYING to tell you something. Pay attention and take action.
4.     Do not ignore any signs of lumps, pain around or under the armpits – these are not signs to easily dismiss.
5. Breast cancer treatment is highly personalized. So, go to the best breast oncologist-surgeon.

Don’t completely TRUST Mammograms, Go with your GUT FEEL
The routine mammogram isn’t fool proof. So, consider the following:

1. If  you feel you have symptoms of breast cancer but the mammogram indicates otherwise, go with your gut feel. 

2.  Take a second medical opinion. 

 3. Ask your doctors whether you can opt for 3-dimensional breast MRI. It is expensive and may have side effects but it gives your doctor an accurate imaging of how your condition is positioned. Knowing the exact details helps your doctor to plan the next point of action.

Breast Cancer Treatment: How to Choose a Doctor You feel You can Trust
Just visiting any reputed hospital will NOT do. Note this when you meet your doctor:

1. Understand his/her approach to you and analyze how comfortable you are. Understand how you feel when your doctor examines/touches you. If you are uncomfortable, it's a clear 'NO' and if you are comfortable, go with your intuition.

2. Ask questions. If you are afraid, say it to your doctor. If you are ashamed of this condition, tell your doctor how you feel. Ask more questions. Watch how your your doctor reacts – is he defensive, impatient, reassuring, confident, compassionate? 



3. Of all the qualities that wins a patient’s trust, especially in cancer cases, it is compassion. Your doctor can be the best in the world but if he has no compassion, would you really trust him/her?

4. Make sure you cross-check your doctor's references. Ask patients, para nursing staff, doctors in your network. Do all your homework about your doctor. File it, if necessary, in case you have areas of doubts. Be 100% sure before you finalize your doctor. This is your body, your battle and your life - so don't take chances.

Breast Cancer: Explore ALL treatment options
Breast cancer treatment may vary. If recommended by more than one doctor, it should be PRIORITY in your ACTION CHECKLIST.

Also, find out:

1.     Has your doc studied your genetic history and current physical condition?
2.  Has he/she discussed the implications and more than one treatment option with others in his team?
3.    Has he presented his findings and that of the others in his team before you?
4.  Has he sought your opinion on how you feel through every stage or has he DECIDED and simply informed you?

Once you decide a particular course of action, pursue it with passion and confidence. Read self-help books or inspiring books to keep yourself motivated. Don't let people overload you with advice that shakes your confidence. Surround yourself with those who love and stand by you. Go through every phase with a smile. 

Thank everyone who is there with you. Simple acts of love can make you experience 'sunshine.' Thank the doctors and the nursing staff who see you through painful tests - this reinforces your confidence in them and boosts the positive bonding you develop with them.

Most importantly, be determined to LOVE and RESPECT your BODY and tell the Higher Self/God how grateful you are every day for this beautiful life.
♥♥  I thank you with all my heart for reading my post. I dedicate this post with  gratitude to all cancer care givers across the world including doctors, nurses, para medical staff and others who help in healing and making the lives of cancer patients bearable and happier through very painful phases. REQUEST: Please SHARE this article on your favorite social networks. Every share, like or tweet makes me reach out to more people.I am grateful and I appreciate you for doing so. ♥♥

Labels

Labels:

Comments

noman dudda said…
Thanks for an informative arrangement on breast cancer! Anybody must be attractive on your text! I gotten such awesome match from home health care
August 11, 2014 at 5:00 PM
Post a Comment

Most LOVED Posts

The Ugly Truth about Caste in Kerala

Many years ago, when I wrote this post on Kerala's caste system, I had not considered that people would start sending in abusive comments about one caste over the other. It baffles me that this is how Indians, all of us, continue to judge each other on account of caste differences.  [ READ: Guru Kripa: Powerful Lessons at the Lotus Feet ] My question is - why do you ABUSE any caste or community? I suggest that you read about the lives of great Masters and their stories - none of them judged anyone on the basis of caste.  You can read the life stories of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagawadpada, Tulsidas, Jnaneshwar, Namadev, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Shirdi Sai Baba, and many more Gurus in Sanathana Dharma. NONE of them endorse these caste hierarchies in Bhakti Marga. Assuming that Guru Sampradaya does not appeal to your sensibilities, do read this  new book 'Ants among Elephants' written by Sujatha Gidla, who writes about herself as being bor...
181 comments
Read more

How do you light Deepam at home?

How do you light deepam at home? As a child, I loved watching the ritual of my grandmother lighting the deepam or the traditional lamp at home in the evenings. A sense of serenity accompanied her frail figure as she would carefully straighten every wick, dip it into the tiny puddle of oil and light the lamp. As my grandmother would read out the scriptures and chant the prayers, the fragrance of incense sticks and flowers added depth to the experience. In many Hindu homes nowadays, the lighting of the lamp (or the nilavilakku, as Malayalis refer to the traditional lamp in their homes) is not a regular practice. A lot of people have many questions around how to light deepam at home and which oil to use and so on. An important point to keep in mind - Maintain physical cleanliness and hygiene while lighting the lamp. Wear clean clothes while lighting the lamp. Frequently Asked Questions About Lighting Deepam at Home Collating most queries related to how to light the deepam at home, I'v...
1 comment
Read more

Summer vacations in India: Remembering the 80s with nostalgia

Summer is blazing in full throttle! For parents like me, this is also a time of getting children ready for a new school session. Loads to do, yes!  [READ: 5 Powerful to Teach Your Child to Care and Transform the World] Preparing for the new school session isn't as easy as it sounds. It involves buying the new text books, school supplies, stationery and even a brand new bag to kick start the academic year. A textbook may not be available in the market, which leads to discussions with other parents on where to procure it from and so on.  For kids, summers are a terrific start to reckon with just before the school closes for vacations. Somehow there is a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air. As a child growing up in the 80s, I used to look forward to summer vacations with my parents. [READ: Learn to behave: The Wisest Lesson I learned in 2018] From Africa, we would plan our vacation to India months ahead. A direct flight was next to impossible, which ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Elsamma Enna Aankutty: Malayali humour in full throttle! Kunchacko Boban, Indrajit and Ann Augustine shine in this Lal-Jose directorial

When my parents and I opted to watch Lal Jose's film 'Elsamma Enna Aankutty', we never expected that Padma theater in Ernakulam would be packed with college students, families and batches of girls. The film poster had seemed to hint comedy and entertainment, with stars like Kunchako Boban and Indrajit. Elsamma enna aankutty: Story, Screenplay This movie is beautifully shot in the hilly ranges of a village near Idukki. I am not a photography expert but the landscape's scenic beauty is truly breathtakingly remarkable.   The protagonist is a young girl called Elsamma (starring Ann Augustine), who dons various hats in her struggle to make an honest living to support her three sisters and helpless mother. She works as the village's newspaper girl and her close friend is Palunni (Kunchacko Boban), the milk delivery boy.   Elsamma enna aankutty: Kunchacko, Ann Augustine shine Right from the start, the conversations are typical of two young people who know and respect each ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Best time to light diya

Want to know when is the best time to light diya or deepam at home? In most Hindu homes, 'deepam' or 'diya' is lit at least twice - once in the morning and then in the evening. For both times, brass is considered to be auspicious for lighting deepam or lamp at home. Clay diyas are also considered auspicious for lighting at home. When lighting diyas on Fridays, it is better to use ghee than oil, if possible. [READ: What Does Deepam Represent , Why Malayalis Light Nilavilakku ] When Should I Start Lighting Diyas? The symbolic shift begins from darkess to light. Therefore, in the evenings, light diya before sunset to usher in divine blessings into your home. Can we light diyas at 4pm? Typically, we don't see sunset at 4 pm. If sunset is at 4 pm, you can light diya. When to light a lamp in the puja room? Every morning at sunrise and every evening before or at sunset. Whatever you do, offer it with sincerity and love in your heart. Our Devatas are watching, they know wh...
Post a Comment
Read more