Moving Beyond a Cancer Diagnosis

Probably one of the most feared diagnoses for women is that of breast cancer. It violates ones feminity, as well as threatens your life. It is a formidable opponent. However, with work, breast cancer does not need to be the focus of your life.

So how does one move past this diagnosis? Well, it is not easy. In the beginning, you must ensure that you are receiving the utmost of care - preferably at a major hospital that deals specifically with breast cancer. In my case, I was lucky to be referred to Mass General, where dedicated teams of doctors reviewed your case and helped to recommend treatment. My team included a radiologist, surgeon and oncologist. You want to go where the doctors only specialize in breast cancer...believe it or not, it is a full time specialty for the best in the medical practice. Studies have shown that these major metropolitan hospitals have a higher survival rate - as it is what they do day after day.

Once you have gone through all of the recommended treatments, you need to take stock of your life. Make sure that you focus on what is important to you. There are some of us that will have good outcomes and some which will have challenging circumstances. Making the most of every day is critical - as we never know what the future will bring. Nothing will be gained by obsessing about what if's - focus on the present.

After several years out from diagnosis and treatment, one begins to let go of the terror that this disease brings about. You find that days pass without a thought of breast cancer - your goal at this stage. In making the most out of your life and focusing your attention away from this disease, you will find more satisfaction and happiness. None of us has a guarantee in this life, but it would be a shame not to make the most of the time we have here. Live healthy and happy.