Thinking about Breast Cancer and Breast Reconstruction During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Constance Chen
By Dr. Constance M. Chen
A diagnosis of breast cancer is devastating at any time, but it can seem impossible to sort out your best options in the middle of a global pandemic. When healthy people everywhere are already overwhelmed with survival, what are the options for a woman who has just been presented with a cancer diagnosis?
Fortunately, as much as life has changed during this time of social distancing, the basic issues of cancer treatment remain the same. Patients need to evaluate their disease with the help of their oncologists to decide upon the optimal course of therapy. Women need to strengthen their immune systems via diet, exercise, and mental health. They may want to explore groundbreaking metabolic approaches to cancer treatment. And social distancing may even help protect patients who are trying to heal and recover from the stresses of cancer treatment. Finally, breast cancer patients should take this time to pause, and realize that they do not need to accomplish all of their long-term goals immediately. Specifically, breast reconstruction can take a back burner to oncologic treatment without any lasting compromise to the ultimate aesthetic outcome.
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