FOCUS ON THE CURE Who is a Survivor?
Sandra Templeton, M.D. Templeton Breast Care
O
ne patient who had completed her treatment three years ago asked, “When am I a survivor?” She has been a survivor since the day she was diagnosed. Although she became a survivor on the day of her diagnosis, there are two phases to her survivorship: treatment of her cancer and then, facing forward to continue on with life afterward. In fact, we have begun to think of breast cancer survival as a chronic disease similar to diabetes or high blood pressure. Thanks to earlier detection, improved treatments, and supportive care of family and friends, there are now more than 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Cancer survivors have a complex set of concerns including physical and emotional issues. The physical effects from the cancer or the treatment received can manifest as fatigue, appetite changes, chronic pain, radiation changes, osteoporosis, or chronic arm swelling. Most of the physical problems improve with time or can be treated to alleviate some or all of the symptoms. Emotional issues typically tend to manifest as depression or anxiety. Depression can impact 20-40% of women with breast cancer either during or after their treatment. This usually oc-
was treated with a mastectomy with or curs within six months of diagnosis and without reconstruction, yearly mamtreatment. One patient said she felt mograms are not necessary. Initially, like a warrior during her cancer treatyou should see your doctor three to four ments, but when they were completed, times per year the first few years. Afshe was struck by anxiety and sadness. ter three years, you graduate to every Now, she felt like a warrior without a six month visits, and at five years, you war. Depressed patients are less likely only need yearly visits. This is because to complete their treatment. If you are as more time passes from the original experiencing depression or anxiety afcancer, it is less likely to return. ter your cancer treatment, it is imporBreast care and breast cancer treattant to discuss these feelings with your ment is a multi-step process that redoctor so you can get appropriate treatquires coordinated medical treatment ment. It is important to know these from various specialized areas. At feelings will not always be there and Templeton Breast Care, I will develop a they often improve with time and treattreatment plan with you and your team ment. of medical specialist that is personalOne important way to deal with the ized for your specific cancer. anxiety from a cancer diagnosis and I am privileged to have patients treatment is to find a support group. entrust me with their medical care This can either be a structured group and allow me to be an integral part of through organizations like the Ameritheir healthcare journey from diagnosis can Cancer Society or an informal to survivorship. I look forward to acnetwork of family and friends. Some companying you through the journey of women felt a strong faith and belief in your cancer from diagnosis and treatGod helped them through their journey. ment and into survivorship. One survivor said with the strong supFor more information, contact Sanport from family, friends and a faith in dra Templeton, M.D. at Templeton God, she was able to put breast cancer Breast Care, 281-494-3000 or www. in her past. “Breast cancer no longer templetonbreastcare.com. defines who she is, but it has made her much more aware of the joys of daily living and reaching out to others instead of looking at her own interests.” Many ask, what’s next? Mammograms are important for cancer surveillance if a lumpectomy was done, or in the breast without cancer. The first mammogram should be done six months after radiation, and then yearly afterwards. If the cancer Dr. Templeton and breast cancer survivor and patient Toni Weyand.
fort bend
magazine • October 2011
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