The Little Book of Menopause; Living with the Challenges of Breast Cancer
- ISBN-10
- 0997646667
- ISBN-13
- 9780997646665
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2018-06
- Authors
- Elizabeth Warner, James Woods
Description
Menopause management now is an evidence-based, structured, and formal aspect of medicine. Based upon ongoing research and clinical education from the North American Menopause Society and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, practice protocols now are able to address the care of women who are either entering menopause (the menopause transition) or are in menopause. Unfortunately, for many women, the diagnosis of breast cancer creates many obstacles to menopause management leading patients to seek advice from their gynecologists. Fortunately, new insights into these cancer-related questions allow gynecologists to understand these concerns and serve as part of the cancer-care team. In this latest contribution to our Little Book of Menopause series, essays and chapters by members of the cancer care team address these questions. Where does communication between care provider and patient break down? The trauma of being diagnosed with breast cancer is amplified if the surgeon, oncologist, and radiologist-oncologist complete their work but fail to address menopausal care. These women struggle with hot flashes, mood swings, pain on intercourse, depression, and marital conflict, but when seeking professional help, they often are confronted by the phrase "no hormones for you." Most women, especially menopausal women, struggle with questions about breast cancer. How should I be screened? Is genetic counseling important for me and my family? What is the relationship of estrogen to breast cancer? And why is breast cancer divided into types, and for what purpose? Apart from those women who are made anxious about the general topic itself, becoming a breast cancer survivor often involves menopause. Yet, every woman experiencing breast cancer care that is complicated by menopausal symptoms only wants to feel normal. She asks how to be treated for menopausal symptoms. She also may be haunted by concerns about the psychology of living with breast cancer, the role of her partner, her response to lymphedema and cognitive impairment (chemobrain), her need for exercise, and the challenge of sleep. Or, she may want clarification of how to preserve her reproductive capabilities during treatments, risks of a pregnancy after breast cancer, and whether breastfeeding is possible.
