Self-care Tips for a Strong Immunity During Breast Cancer Treatment

Wouldn’t having insider expertise while caring for yourself and deciding on healthcare services be helpful? Well, you’re in the right place! This article provides helpful insider tips for strong immunity during breast cancer treatment.

(Note – This article is part of a series of interviews with licensed healthcare providers.)

I suspect, depending on where you work, you can give precise advice to help your friends and family have the best experience at your company. 

For example, some of you can share:

• Where to find the freshest seafood
• When to buy to get the lowest price on a new car or computer
• And others can help find a luxurious vacation destination on a dime

You know insider secrets so well that you can’t wait to tell your friends and family about them.

So, wouldn’t it be great to have that insider expertise when deciding on your healthcare?

Wouldn’t it be helpful to tap into healthcare providers’ years of experience, specific knowledge, and expertise and hear them say, “If it were me, I’d do it this way?”

This article is part of a series of interviews intended to offer that experience—another way to help you find the best healthcare services when needed.

The question we’re answering today is:

What is the best way to take care of yourself during breast cancer treatment?

So, without further ado, this article provides recommended self-care tips to maintain your immunity during breast cancer treatment. You can use the list below to jump to a section or read the entire article.

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The Interview

Today, we’re interviewing Susan Grogan, a nurse practitioner certified in oncology/hematology (NP-C) at Mercy Cancer Hematology in Springfield, MO, to gain some insider knowledge about recommended self-care during (and after) breast cancer treatment.

Susan is sharing her expertise from many years in healthcare to provide tips and strategies for improving your cancer treatment experience.

What Does Typical Breast Cancer Treatment Look Like?

First, Susan, tell us what a typical plan of treatment for breast cancer looks like.

“Treatment plans are discussed with the patients early on. Outcomes are getting better because there are new treatment options.

Treatment is specific to and dependent on:

• Type and stage of cancer 
• Family history
• Other health issues
• Home or work environment
• Family support
• Driving distance, among other factors

It’s typically at least one or a combination of the following treatment options:

• Surgery
• Radiation
• Sometimes chemotherapy
• Commonly, hormonal blocking agents can also be used
• Immunotherapy is now an option for many types of cancer

Cancer tissue samples or the patient’s blood are frequently checked for targeted therapy. This can include treatment with pills or IV therapy.“

Outcomes are getting better because there are new treatment options.

Susan Grogan, NP-C

Use of Faith Can Build A Strong Immunity During Breast Cancer Treatment

Susan, would you tell us how you bring a patient’s faith into the treatment plan?

“As appropriate, I discuss using faith for support. Some already lean on their faith, and others need to learn how to use their faith as a way to reduce stress and maintain immunity during breast cancer treatment.

Some patients experience an extreme amount of stress because they lack the usual emotional support sources. Perhaps they:

• Have already lost their spouse
• Are a single mom
• Do not have a church or work family
• Do not have children living close by

So, if they are open to hearing about prayer and faith, I discuss it with them.

I tell them prayer is the most important thing they can do to help them through this.

Sometimes, I get to see patients before they start their chemotherapy for the day.  I comfort them by reminding them how they can use their experience in the valley to help others.

I remind them that their hair will grow, their sense of taste will return, and nausea will disappear.

They will get through it and return to doing what they like. 

Finally, I encourage them to mark their treatments on a calendar so they can see how many are left.

I always tell them that we will get them through it. I encourage and offer prayer and support.“

I tell them prayer is the most important thing they can do to help them through this.

Susan Grogan, NP-C

Two Things You Wish Your Oncology Patients Knew

Susan, based on your experience, what are two things you wish your patients knew when using your services so they feel their best, have strong immunity during breast cancer treatment, and experience the best outcomes possible?

“When you are getting chemotherapy, exercise is the best strategy to help prevent fatigue– even though you feel too tired to exercise, it is helpful with fatigue!

Also, infection control is essential while undergoing chemotherapy. Things like:

• Handwashing
• Cooking food properly
• Avoiding gardening without gloves
• Avoiding cat litter
• Avoiding people (at church or work)

After treatment, we discuss ways to have strong immunity and health.

Our discussion typically includes self-care behaviors like diet, exercise, mindfulness, and social support. 

I talk a lot about self-care and healthy behaviors because they can result in less cancer reoccurrence and improved survival.“

3 Recommended Self-care Tips for Immunity During Breast Cancer Treatment

Self-care Tip #1

Eat healthy foods.

“When I meet with patients, we talk a lot about:

• Avoiding simple sugars and white flour
• Eating foods in moderation
• Bringing colorful foods (fruits & vegetables) into their diet
• Avoiding char on grilled meats
• Avoiding processed meats

I share diet recommendations from the Mayo Clinic.

I tell them to eat a Mediterranean-type diet that includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, olive oil, etc.

Some healthcare practitioners are starting to recommend the Keto diet as well.“

Self-care Tip #2

Move Around.

“I strongly encourage my patients to exercise 150 minutes a week. They can do that by getting 30 minutes a day or three 60-minute periods of exercise or movement.

I tell them they need to walk at a minimum. They should put exercise on their schedule and make it part of what they do.

Some people struggle with it, although some will do well.

I hear them say things like; my hip hurts I have arthritis, or I’m tired so can’t exercise.

But I keep reminding them of the value of exercise and how it helps treat arthritis and reduce fatigue.

I give them small ideas:

• Walk to the mailbox.
• Walk around inside the house if it’s cold outside.

I talk a lot about self-care and healthy behaviors because they can result in less cancer reoccurrence and improved survival.

Susan Grogan, NP-C

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Self-care Tip #3

Manage stress levels.

I talk to patients about mindfulness: meditation, prayer, quietness, rest, and stretching.

Fear, anxiety, and worry are normal.

But, I help them recognize it is okay to get professional help if it is needed, for example, if they become depressed.

Sleep is so crucial for managing stress.

I talk a lot about sleep hygiene. I encourage a dark, cool room with no electronics.

If they wake up at night, I tell them to read but not ‘on’ something – not on an iPad with a blue light. If they have an Echo, I encourage them to ask Alexa to play crickets on a sleep timer for 1 ½ hr.

They can put lavender oil in a Diffuser. 

Lastly, most people thrive with social support.

We need friends and family because we do very well when we do things together, like walking together three times a week.

It’s best to work on being healthy together. 

Cancer doesn’t happen in a vacuum.“

One Thing You Wish Your Oncology Patients Would Do

Finally, Susan, based on your opinion, what is one thing you wish your patients would do when using your service so they enjoy the best outcome possible?

“Well, honestly, I wish patients were aware of cancer screenings and prevention.

I want them to get mammogram and colonoscopy screenings regularly because if you can catch cancer early, you can sometimes avoid chemotherapy or find it at a curable stage with a more manageable treatment.

Diet and exercise are the key preventatives THEY can do.

And, stress management is essential to keep up their immunity.“

Insider Tips For Oncology Patients

OK, Susan, what is your best insider tip, and is there anything else you want to share about oncology treatment or prevention?

“Please get cancer screenings and preventative screenings.

You need to get an overall colonoscopy by age 45. If you’re a woman, please get your pap smear and mammograms!

Get a flu shot.

Check your cholesterol regularly.”

Thank you for the informative and helpful insider tips, Susan!

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(This information does not guarantee a specific outcome or experience. Also, because there is no patient-provider relationship in place, it is impossible to give patient-specific advice, and it is not intended to be a plan of care or treatment. This information is designed to complement your personal healthcare provider’s recommendations, observations, and research.)

The post was originally published on October 5, 2018.