Looking after yourself

Treatment for breast cancer can cause physical and emotional strain, so it’s important to look after your wellbeing. Many people benefit from adopting a healthier lifestyle. Eating well, being physically active and taking time out may help reduce stress and improve wellbeing.

You may find coping with body image and sexuality issues particularly difficult, and this may affect your emotions and relationships. Choosing a breast prosthesis or having a breast reconstruction may be an important step in your recovery.

Staying active

You will probably find it helpful to stay active. Light exercise after surgery, such as walking, can help people recover and improve their energy levels.

The amount and type of exercise you do will depend on what you are used to, how well you feel and your doctor’s advice. It is important that you wear a supportive bra to protect your breasts when you exercise.

If you have a breast reconstruction, it will be a while before you can return to vigorous exercise and you may need to modify the exercise that you do. For example, if you have an abdominal flap reconstruction, you will need to be gentle with abdominal exercises. You will also be encouraged to wear supportive underwear. Ask your doctor, breast care nurse, physiotherapist or exercise physiologist about exercises you can try.

Exercise and breast reconstruction

Exercise is important before and after breast reconstruction surgery to help get your arm and shoulder moving again. Exercise before surgery can help you feel better and recover your strength faster.

For a guide to some simple exercises that you can do after a breast reconstruction, see Cancer Council’s Arm & shoulder exercises after surgery. 

Breast Cancer Network Australia has videos and a podcast to help you start your recovery before you  have surgery, as well as afterwards. Visit Breast Cancer Network Australia and search for “physical preparation and recovery after breast reconstruction”.

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies are designed to be used alongside conventional medical treatments. Therapies such as massage, relaxation and acupuncture can increase your sense of control, decrease stressand anxiety, and improve your mood. Let your doctor know about any therapies you are using or thinking about trying, as some may not be safe or evidence-based.

Alternative therapies are therapies used instead of conventional medical treatments. Many alternative therapies have not been scientifically tested, so there is no proof they stop cancer growing or spreading. Others have been tested and shown to be harmful to people with cancer or not to work. Cancer Council does not recommend the use of alternative therapies as a cancer treatment.

For more information, see Complementary therapies and listen to Cancer Council's Finding Calm During Cancer podcast series.

Body image

Any change to your appearance after breast cancer surgery may affect the way you think and feel about yourself, including your confidence and self-esteem. It is normal to experience sadness and grief after breast surgery. You may find that your sense of identity or femininity has been affected.

It may take some time to get used to seeing and feeling the differences in your body. You may find that having a breast reconstruction or wearing a breast prosthesis improves your self-confidence. However, you may prefer to concentrate on accepting the changes in your body without wearing a prosthesis or having breast reconstruction.

Changing your clothing and using accessories might make you feel more confident when wearing a breast prosthesis. If you have a reconstruction, it will take time to adjust to the different way a reconstructed breast looks, feels and moves. The appearance of the breast will improve with time as scars heal and fade. It may take some time for you to adjust to the changes to your body image after reconstruction.

You may also be concerned about how others perceive the changes to your body, and this may affect your relationships and interest in sex.

Talking to health professionals such as psychologists, counsellors or psychiatrists may be helpful. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for a referral. These health professionals may help you find strategies to help with your recovery. It may also help to talk to someone who has had a similar experience. Call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 for information on support services.

Sexuality and intimacy

Having treatment for breast cancer may affect your sexuality. It may take time for you to feel like resuming sexual activity after treatment for cancer – you may need to recover from the operation and get used to wearing a prosthesis, going flat or having a reconstructed breast.

Things that improve your overall wellbeing, such as eating well, exercising and relaxing, may help to boost your sexual confidence.

If you have a partner, you may be concerned about how they will react to your new body shape. You may feel nervous about a partner seeing you naked or worry that they’ll find you unattractive. You may want to talk to your partner about the changes while you’re in the hospital rather than the more intimate environment of your home.

It will take time to get used to how your body has changed. You may miss the pleasure you felt from the breast or nipple being stroked or kissed during sex. This may be the case even if you have a reconstruction. If breast stimulation was important to arousal before surgery, you may need to explore other ways of becoming aroused.

While you’re recovering, try to touch and stroke your mastectomy scar or your reconstructed breast regularly to help you become familiar with the new sensation, so that when you are touched by your partner, your brain has adjusted to the “new normal”.

Changes to your body may mean you avoid sexual contact. This may not be satisfying for you and your partner. Although it may be difficult, share your fears and needs with them. Learn some tips on managing changes to sexuality.

What if I don’t have a partner?

If you don’t have a partner, you might be anxious or uncertain about forming new relationships. If you meet someone new, you might worry about when and how to tell them that you’re wearing a breast prosthesis, have scars or have a reconstructed breast – and you may worry about how they may react.

It isn’t easy to decide when to tell a potential partner about any changes to your body. It’s natural to be worried about their reaction to seeing you naked for the first time.

Take your time and let a new partner know about the changes to your body when you feel ready. Practising what to say, before you talk to them, may help. You might want to show the other person how your body has changed before any sexual activity so that you can both get used to how that makes you feel. Do what feels right for you.

If a new relationship doesn’t work out, don’t automatically blame the cancer or how your body has changed. Relationships can end for a variety of reasons.

You might find it helpful to talk through any concerns you have about meeting someone new. Call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 for information on support services. You can also talk to a counsellor or psychologist, your breast care nurse or your GP about your feelings.

How to manage changes in body image and sexuality

Seeking support

A cancer diagnosis can affect every aspect of your life. You will probably experience a range of emotions – fear, sadness, anxiety, anger and frustration are all common reactions. Cancer also often creates practical and financial issues.

There are many sources of support and information to help you, your family and carers navigate all stages of the cancer experience, including:

• information about cancer and its treatment
• access to benefits and programs to ease the financial impact of cancer treatment
• home care services, such as Meals on Wheels, visiting nurses and home help
• aids and appliances
• support groups and programs
• counselling services.

The availability of services may vary depending on where you live, and you may have to pay for some services. To find good sources of support and information, you can get in touch with Cancer Connect on 13 11 20. You can also talk to your GP, oncology doctors, breast care nurses and social workers. 

If you want to use your experience to make a difference for others, consider joining a consumer advocacy group. For more details, visit Breast Cancer Network Australia.

Useful websites

You can find many useful resources online, but not all websites are reliable. These websites are good sources of support and information.

Australian

• Cancer Council Australia
• Cancer Council Online Community
• Cancer Council podcasts
• Australian Breast Device Registry
• Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
• Breast Cancer Network Australia
• Breast Surgeons of Australia and New Zealand
• Breconda Breast Reconstruction Decision Aid
• Healthdirect Australia
• Look Good Feel Better
• McGrath Foundation
• Services Australia
• Therapeutic Goods Administration Breast implant hub

International

• American Cancer Society
• Breast Cancer Now (UK)
• Cancer Research UK
• Macmillan Cancer Support (UK)
• National Cancer Institute (US)