Read on to find out what practical steps must be taken following a breast cancer diagnosis.

Ask for Help

No one who has been diagnosed with breast cancer should have to face this difficult experience alone, so the first step to take is to let family members and other loved ones know what’s going on and ask for support. Undergoing treatment will also require both taking time off from work and paying for medical care or insurance copays, so don’t be afraid to seek the help of a lawyer.

Most people with breast cancer are eligible to receive disability benefits, and those who received a diagnosis after being exposed to carcinogens may also be entitled to additional compensation that can help pay for ongoing care.

Prepare for Meetings With Doctors

It will take a team of specialists to treat recently diagnosed breast cancer, so the first step is to meet with these specialists to ask questions, discuss concerns, and come up with a treatment plan. The team of specialists that treat breast cancer usually includes:

• A breast surgeon
• A medical oncologist
• A radiation oncologist
• A plastic surgeon
• A radiologist

Radiation therapists and oncology nurses

Because care planning can be a complex and emotional process, it’s best to arrive at each consultation prepared with a written list of issues to be discussed at the appointment. Many breast cancer patients also bring a spouse, parent, child, or another family member or loved one along to take notes and advocate for them. Patients who plan to attend appointments alone may want to bring a notebook to write down important information.

Research Treatment Options

A patient’s cancer care team will perform diagnostic and staging tests, explain the results, and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. Every situation is a little different, but there are a few common treatments recommended to breast cancer patients. They include surgical interventions like lumpectomies and double mastectomies and medical treatments like chemotherapy, radiation and, in some cases, immunotherapy drugs.

The best place to start when it comes to understanding treatment options is, of course, the doctor’s office. Most patients ask for additional educational resources from their doctors, which can include lists of reputable websites. Take advantage of those educational materials, learn about options, and have an in-depth discussion with a qualified member of the cancer care team before making a decision regarding how to move forward.

Plan for Treatment Side Effects

All breast cancer treatments come with some side effects. Being prepared for them will make it easier to get through the treatment regime successfully, so don’t be afraid to ask doctors what to expect and how long the recovery process will take following surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and the administration of novel drug therapies. It’s also wise to ask a family member for help with preparing meals, getting around, and other daily tasks following conventional cancer treatments.

Breast Cancer is Not a Death Sentence

These days, breast cancer is considered a treatable disease. The average five-year relative survival rate across all stages of breast cancer is 90%, but a patient’s prognosis improves the sooner she is diagnosed. Don’t panic, but take action immediately following a breast cancer diagnosis to maximize the odds of making a full recovery.

Salman Zafar

Salman Zafar is the Founder of Health Loops. He is a professional blogger and content creator with expertise across different subjects, including health, environment, tech, business, marketing and much more

The post 5 Things To Do On Getting a Breast Cancer Diagnosis appeared first on Health Loops.

Women need to be well informed to choose the best option for them, and also need to know that HRT is very safe. Using it for reducing the symptoms of menopause outweighs surpasses risks. Here we will break probably all the common myths about HRT to help you choose the right treatment choices for you according to the directions of your healthcare provider.

1. HRT causes breast cancer

This is a widespread perception of most women about HRT. But, taking estrogen-just HRT doesn’t increase your risk of developing breast cancer. In women under 51, the risk of breast cancer does not increase regardless of which type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is being taken. A combined HRT after the normal menopause changes seems to build the danger of breast cancer by no more than one in a 1000 women every year after stopping the treatment. The risk goes back to the level before you began having it.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) does not cause cancer in healthy adults with no history of hormone-sensitive cancer. However, the risk of breast cancer might increase due to other factors like smoking, drinking alcohol, or being overweight.

2. HRT causes heart problems

In case you are in your 40s and 50s experiencing menopausal symptoms, the advantages of HRT negate any risks in most women. Women who need HRT without progestogen have a lower risk of developing heart disease than women who don’t take HRT. All in all, it helps to prevent heart disease.

There might be a slightly increased risk of heart disease when you start getting HRT in your 60s or 70s. Hence, it would be wiser if you begin HRT as soon as you experience menopausal symptoms. Your overall risk of heart problems will likewise rely upon different factors, for example, smoking or being overweight.

3. HRT can lead to the womb or ovarian cancer

Taking combined HRT with estrogen and progesterone does not increase your risk of developing womb cancer. HRT with estrogen-only, however, can increase this risk. This is why it is usually used in women who do not have a womb, for example, women who may have had it removed through surgery. Specialists believe that the risk of developing ovarian cancer due to HRT is almost impossible.

4. HRT causes blood clots

The HRT patches or gels do not cause blood clots at all. Whereas taking HRT tablets may increase the risk of blood clots, but this is very rare. It is believed that less than two will develop a blood clot for every 1,000 women taking HRT for around seven years.

5. HRT causes weight gain

A few women might gain weight as they age. However, this is probably because of different factors, for example, being less active physically and menopause itself. This can be attended to by following a healthy eating routine and exercising regularly.

6. Calcium or Vitamin D supplements is better than HRT

Several studies have found that the estrogen in HRT is exceptionally effective in combatting osteoporosis and brittle bones, affecting one in four women aged over 50 and protecting against bone fractures. The hormone helps increase bone density and strength, while studies have found that while it is essential to have a balanced diet, vitamin D and calcium supplements do not appear to prevent fractures.

7. You need to be thoroughly tested to ensure you are suitable for HRT

Usually, before beginning HRT, your primary care physician will have to check your weight and blood pressure levels.

8. Natural treatments are better and safer than HRT

HRT is the best treatment for symptoms of menopause. It should be known that natural remedies have not been as thoroughly explored as HRT has been, so you can’t just say they are more secure.

9. You should not start taking HRT too young

It is fundamental for women who experience early menopause or have had a hysterectomy to think about HRT. More young women will have an increased risk of heart problems or bone problems as their ovaries are not producing sufficient estrogen. HRT will help replace the hormones your body would typically make until the natural age of menopause (around 51).

10. You should have HRT for a short time only

There is no problem with taking HRT whenever it is needed as long as it is being taken at the lowest effective dose. Every woman should be observed exclusively to choose what is right for them. Decisions about the type and duration of HRT should depend upon their menopausal symptoms and risk of particular conditions. If you are taking HRT in your 40s, it is helpful to continue taking it until you are something like 51.

If you have done your research thoroughly, you would have probably ended up with confusion about whether or not you should go for HRT. There is a lot of information that can cause the decision to become challenging for you. It is best to leave this decision totally upon your doctor and let them do this for you. We have a board of specialized doctors who can help you to choose your wellbeing.

11. You should take HRT only if your menopause symptoms are severe

Various women believe that HRT should only be taken when symptoms get extreme. In reality, it is untrue. There is no point in waiting for your menopausal symptoms to worsen to start HRT as it helps best with mild symptoms. The earlier it starts, the more benefits in protecting menopausal symptoms, especially in women under 50. HRT effectively relieves hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, and other symptoms related to hormone imbalance.

12. HRT isn’t helpful after menopause

Even after the significant changes of menopause occur, hormone imbalance can proceed. Women encountering post-menopausal symptoms can benefit from HRT. After menopause, the symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, etc., will reduce. However, post-menopausal women can continue experiencing uncomfortable symptoms because of lower estrogen levels.

13. You must experience symptoms of menopause

You don’t need to endure the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. Even though symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and weight were once considered a transitional experience, these exhibitions can affect your lifestyle altogether. HRT is shown to be the best treatment for menopausal side effects. You can go through menopause without any big problem because of hormone replacement, thankfully.

14. There’s only one type of HRT

You might be amazed to realize that there are many different types of HRT. Women can decide to choose from oral to topical plans. Sorts of HRT can be combined or used alone to treat your side effects best and balance your hormones.

Also Read: Stem Cell Activation Techniques for Health and Wellness

Salman Zafar

Salman Zafar is the Founder of Health Loops. He is a professional blogger and content creator with expertise across different subjects, including health, environment, tech, business, marketing and much more

The post Debunking the Top Myths About Hormone Replacement Therapy appeared first on Health Loops.