Kath McLachlan expert online
Kath McLachlan expert online As part of Lavender Week, Breast Cancer Care would like to welcome Clinical Nurse Specialist Kath McLachlan from Breast Cancer Care, as today’s Expert on Line. Kath will be on line for an hour , email the moderator on the link below if you would like to ask her a question.
menopausal symptoms Liz asks
Kath
What can I do to help myself through menopausal symptoms?
For Liz Hello Liz
Treatments such as chemotherapy, tamoxifen and ovarian ablation can all result in menopausal symptoms of varying degrees and may affect quality of life. Many of the changes will be temporary but can change how you feel physically and may impact on different areas of your life.
Hot flushes, hair thinning, night sweats, vaginal dryness, fatigue, poor concentration can be some of the symptoms experienced during the menopause. Being young and being treated for breast cancer can mean that the symptoms are more intense than if going through it naturally.
Complementary therapies such as massage, relaxation, aromatherapy can be of help. Accupuncture has been shown to help hot flushes when they are induced by Tamoxifen. It is important to go to a qualified practitioner if you do undergo complementary therapies.
Losing my hair Gloria asks
My little boy loves playing with my hair, how am I going to tell him I am going to loose my hair?
For Gloria Hello Gloria,
Hair loss can be one of the most distressing physical side effects of breast cancer treatment. One approach you might like to try is to have your hair cut short this may help both you and your little boy to adjust in a more gradual way.
I did meet a young woman who had a similar concern and her child did not appear to miss her hair and was not affected by the change. They just continued to have lots of cuddles as before.
If your little boy is old enough to understand, talk to him about what is happening that mummy is loosing her hair but it will grow back.
Worried about my job Sue asks
I am worried about losing my job having had so much time off for treatment.
For Sue Hello Sue,
Recent changes to the Disability Descrimination Act mean that it now covers you if you have a diagnosis of cancer. The changes made in 2005 to the DDA considers the diagnosis of cancer as a disability. You do not have to have symptoms or consider yourself to be disabled by your breast cancer to be covered but the Act does give you important rights in your work.
These rights mean you can negotiate for reasonable changes in your work or work place; for example, if you need time off work for treatment and recovery your employer might allow you a period of leave and your job still be there when you want to go back or it might be reasonable to have more flexible working hours so you can carry on working.
The Act also gives you legal protection if you feel your employer has treated you unfairly.
Do I have to tell? Louise asks
Do I have to tell a prospective new employer about my breast cancer?
For Louise Hello Louise,
No, but you can tell them in confidence and it may be helpful to both you and your employer if you need to negotiate working hours or conditions.
You will see in my reply to Sue the Disability Discrimination Act would apply in your case to ensure employees and job candidates have equality of opportunity.
Your local ‘Job Centre Plus’ office have information on a scheme ‘Access to Work’ which may help or if you feel you have been discriminated against they can advise you.
Can’t stop crying Maureen asks
I can’t stop crying. I am worried about the effect on my children seeing me upset all the time.
For Maureen Hello Maureen,
Cancer affects the feelings and emotions of the whole family. I appreciate It can be very distressing deciding how and what to tell your children.
Children respond in different ways depending on their character and age. Some can be quiet and pensive others continuously asking questions. Children are very quick to pick up on when something is upsetting or worrying a parent. You may find it helpful to explain to your children that they may sometimes see you crying. I would suggest keep talking with them about what’s happening and how your diagnosis and treatment is affecting you.
Talking together as a family can also help to ensure everyone hears the same things and everyone is open with each other.
Let your children know what they can do to help such as give you a hug or make you a drink.
Mums won’t talk to me Janice asks
The other mums at school stop talking when I join the group. What should I do?
For Janice Hello Janice,
In the past cancer was a taboo subject and not discussed. Nowadays it is talked about much more and talked about in magazines and the media and we are aware of improvements in treatments.
However, some people do still find it difficult to talk about cancer. They have no idea what to say but feel they should know. They may feel they want to help but don’t know how and this can make them avoid approaching the subject altogether and they may be afraid of making things harder for you.
I can appreciate this can be hurtful to you but if you feel you can, you can let people know what you’re comfortable with discussing or just talk about social and everyday issues with people you do not feel able to discuss your breast cancer with.
Painful sex Jean asks
Sex has started to be painful, is this part of the menopausal symptoms I am getting and do I just have to put up with it?
For Jean Hello Jean,
Menopausal symptoms can vary from woman to woman. Some may experience vaginal dryness, discharge or soreness as a side effect of chemotherapy, or hormone therapy. They can also affect libido (sex drive) and cause tiredness or fatigue.
It is important to let your partner know how this is affecting you and it can be helpful to explain that you are experiencing pain during intercourse you can then explore together other ways or positions.
There can be a number of reasons for pain during intercourse. Vaginal dryness can be helped by a cream or gel such as Replens that is a non-hormonal cream which can be put directly into the vagina, it helps to rehydrate and increases the blood flow.
It may be a good idea to contact and talk with your breast care nurse or specialist about your symptoms.
Support for younger women? Sharon asks
Are there support groups for just younger women?
How to cope?? HI
I am starting my first session of FEC chemo this friday, and really thought I was ready for it.
However, now it is getting closer I can feel the emotions rising up again, and am not sure how to deal with it ?
Any advise to help me through the unknown???
Thanks
Ang
xx
For Sharon Hello Sharon,
As the incidence of breast cancer in younger women is low in comparison to older women, across the UK there are only a small number of local support groups for just younger women.
I can appreciate the sense of isolation you feel as a younger woman.
At Breast Cancer Care we do recognise the benefits that women feel when put in touch with or meet with others in a similar situation and younger women tell us it can help reduce the sense of isolation. We do hold a list of local support groups that we are aware of and if you would like to contact the helpline for this information on 0808 800 6000
We do provide a number of services specifically for younger women where you can share experiences and learn different ways of dealing with issues or problems, you will find details on our website or again you can contact the helpline.
For AngieF Hello Angie,
Adjusting to a diagnosis of breast cancer and facing the unknown puts you on a rollercoaster of emotions. Talking through your anxieties with your breast care nurse can be helpful and also help your understanding of what you might expect from the treatment.
Feeling you can express your fears of the unknown can often help the fear seem more manageable. Ask your breast care nurse about complementary therapies available to you as these have been shown to be really beneficial prior to and whilst going through chemotherapy.
You would be very welcome to join us this evening at our Live Chat session for younger women which is running between 9pm and 10pm where I am sure you will be able to ‘meet’ other women who have also faced the unknown going into chemotherapy.