Taking it to heart: mental health is essential in breast cancer treatment

• American Cancer Society figures show that one in four people with cancer may develop severe or clinical depression.

• Exercise is one of the protective factors that helps reduce the risk of developing cancer

Santo Domingo, 19 October 2022.- To mark International Breast Cancer Day, Doctors Anjelina Taveras, breast specialist and oncoplastic breast surgeon; Marién Federo, psychologist; and Heidy Pérez, gynaecological oncologist at the Diabetes, Obesity and Specialties Medical Centre (CEMDOE), are urging women diagnosed with breast cancer to seek psychological help, accept changes and have proper support.

“After a diagnosis, it is advisable for patients to receive emotional support, as they often don’t accept the disease easily. It’s important to learn to embrace change and accept that we may look different, especially with hair loss. Having a support network is essential, including doctors and your closest, most trusted family and friends,” says Federo.

The doctor added that it is also very important for the support network to receive support alongside the patient, so they are emotionally equipped to face the situation. She explained that there is no specific stage at which to seek psychological help; however, it is advisable from the moment the patient feels the disease is affecting her emotions.

As well as mental health, the specialists discussed risk factors and some measures to reduce breast cancer, highlighting that figures from the American Cancer Society show that one in four people with cancer may develop severe or clinical depression.

Risk factors: 15% are hereditary

About 15% of breast cancer risk factors are hereditary, but most cases arise anew from non-modifiable causes, such as being a woman, age and exposure to radiotherapy. Hormonal factors are also very significant, such as not having had children, very early first menstruation or late menopause, among others.

Speaking on the “Es Cuestión de Salud” podcast from the Integra health ecosystem, created to keep listeners informed about everything happening in the health sector, the specialists identified alcohol consumption, breastfeeding, diet and being overweight as modifiable factors for breast cancer. As a protective factor, they stressed the importance of exercise. Statistics show that running three hours a week can reduce the risk of cancer by up to 25%.

Preventive check-ups: self-exams are no substitute for mammograms

The doctors said a timely check-up is always important. The most common symptom is feeling a lump, which can sometimes measure up to 2 cm and is usually a tumour. Their advice is to see a doctor even if you don’t feel anything.

Ideally, don’t wait for symptoms before seeing a doctor. In the Dominican Republic, women are advised to have an annual check-up from the age of 40.

Women with a first-degree family history of breast cancer, such as a mother or sister, should start check-ups earlier and have them more often.

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About CEMDOE

An outpatient medical centre specialising in chronic diseases that offers a comprehensive care model focused on the safety, quality and experience of patients and their families, supported by international processes, standards and policies that ensure the success of its purpose.

CEMDOE is part of INTEGRA, the Dominican Republic’s first health ecosystem, which aims to improve the population’s health in a sustainable way.

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