by Ronald Louis Peterson

Created on: July 30, 2009   Last Updated: August 12, 2009

The big challenge for breast cancer patients and survivors is to resume a normal life following their diagnosis and treatment. Advances in diagnosis, treatments, therapies and counseling have sped this transition for a growing number. But since there are different kinds and stages of breast cancer and each person responds differently to treatments, it is difficult to say just when each breast cancer patient can resume a normal life. In general, we know that a "normal life" comes faster for those who begin treatment early in their Cancer's development. Thankfully, more breast cancers are being diagnosed early as a result of public awareness campaigns which promote early detection tests.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), "Most doctors feel that early detection tests for breast cancer save many thousands of lives each year, and that many more lives could be saved if even more women and their health care providers took advantage of these tests." (1) The ACS recommends mammograms, clinical breast exams, self breast exams, and MRIs as the primary means to screen for breast cancer. The prescribed test depends on the age and risk factors of each woman.

Ruth of Fairfax, VA, is a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed, in 2001 with stage-I cancer at 57, after she had her annual mammogram. Two outpatient biopsies confirmed the cancer, which was treated with six weeks of radiation therapy followed by five years of chemotherapy medication. "I never stopped working and only took a couple days off for the two minor surgeries. I had my radiation treatments in the mornings before going into work." She added, "I got a bit tired at times and paced myself, and made a point of getting enough sleep."

Fatigue is the most common effect of treatments and the primary obstacle preventing patients from resuming normal lives. (2) Any chemotherapy drug may cause fatigue. Patients frequently experience fatigue after several weeks of chemotherapy, but this varies among patients. In some, fatigue lasts a few days. Others say the problem persists throughout the course of treatment and even after the treatment is complete. Radiation therapy can cause cumulative fatigue. This fatigue usually lasts from three to four weeks after treatment stops but can continue for up to two to three months. Bone marrow transplant can cause fatigue that lasts up to one year. Biological therapy involving cytokines - natural cell proteins that are normally released by white blood cells in response

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