There are more than 4 million breast cancer survivors and those living with breast cancer in the U.S. today. Having breast cancer is a life altering experience and a person experiences many physical and emotional changes.

At Susan G. Komen®, we view anyone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, a survivor, from the time of diagnosis through the end of life. We recognize though that not everyone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer will identify with this term or see themselves as a survivor.

Survivors must deal with the medical aspects of breast cancer for a long time. Regular medical follow-up is required, and this can cause stress and anxiety. After you finish treatment for breast cancer, you’ll see your oncologist and other members of your health care team on a regular basis, usually about every 6 months for the first few years. After that, you’ll see them every year for many years. Follow-up includes regular physical exams, mammograms and bone health tests.

If you’re struggling with issues affecting your sexuality, you’re not alone. Sex and intimacy can be difficult for many women after a breast cancer diagnosis. You may feel a sense of loss and grief after breast surgery. Many are reluctant to discuss this with their health care provider or their partners. However, most sexual difficulties can be overcome, so it’s important to seek help if you have concerns.

In the first year after a cancer diagnosis and during the active phase of treatment, it’s common to feel depressed and anxious. People with these feelings should discuss them with their health care providers who can help them directly or refer them to someone who can.

Survivors who have social support seem to cope better emotionally. There are many sources of social support including spouses or partners, family members, friends, coworkers, colleagues, therapists, spiritual advisors, online and email discussion groups and health care providers. Many survivors extend their support systems by joining a formal support group and some may benefit from individual counseling.

Social support may reduce:

• Anxiety and stress
• Emotional distress and depression
• Fatigue, and
• The experience of pain Social support may also improve:
• Mood
• Self-image
• The ability to cope with stress
• Sexual function and enjoyment, and
• Feelings of control

One of the main concerns for young women being treated for breast cancer is loss of fertility. If you wish to have a child after treatment, you should speak to a fertility specialist before treatment begins. They can discuss options with you, such as freezing and storing eggs.

Both chemotherapy and tamoxifen can damage the ovaries, causing irregular periods or stopping periods altogether.

With tamoxifen, regular periods should return after treatment. With chemotherapy, however, the chances are greater that the loss of periods will be permanent. Regular periods will most often return in women under 40, but the risk of permanent menopause slowly increases with age. Certain chemotherapy regimens may increase the chances of permanent menopause.

Having a child after breast cancer treatment does not appear to lower a woman’s chances for long-term survival. Your health care provider or a fertility specialist can discuss the best timing of a pregnancy for you based on your breast cancer treatment.