by Sue Simpson

Created on: May 30, 2008

Breast cancer is a pretty harrowing diagnosis, and having any kind of surgery can be a real trial for a patient. It is therefore no surprise to anyone that combining the two to have breast cancer surgery can be incredibly difficult for a patient, especially if they've have a mastectomy. A couple tips to make sure that patients recover quickly and healthily from breast cancer surgery are key to aiding the process. After breast cancer surgery there are three main things you need to do: rest and keep checking in with your doctor and potentially seek therapeutic help from a psychiatrist if you think it might be necessary.

*GETTING ENOUGH REST*
It is imperative that you rest because breast cancer surgery is like any surgery: it's hard on your body and it wears you out. If you can take time off of work and relax, that's key to healing quickly. Getting diagnosed with breast cancer is serious enough, so there's no need for you to push yourself more than you have to. It's hard and people understand.

*TALKING TO YOUR DOCTOR*
It's also important that you keep checking in with your doctor. Depending on the stage that your cancer was in when you had surgery, more treatment may be required. Other radiation or chemotherapy may be necessary to destroy any remaining cancer cells or to try and keep your cancer in remission. Your doctor (your oncologist or regular physician) can help you make those decisions to keep you as happy as possible.

It's also important that you keep checking in with your doctor to make sure that things stay normal. Whether it is weekly, monthly, or even every three to six months, he or she will continue to monitor you (the patient) and test you to make sure the cancer does not return or at least will remain in remission, or that any cancer that is left is destroyed through the extra and additonal tests.

*GETTING THERAPEUTIC HELP*
Along with rest and checking in with your doctor, women who have had breast cancer surgery (especially a mastectomy) may want to consult some kind of therapist. Because breast cancer surgery can be so traumatic, it is important that women receive the necessary support to aid them in their recovery.

In the end, rest, checking with your doctor or oncologist, and potentially pursuing therapeutic courses of action are the three most important things to do to recover from breast cancer surgery.

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