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Breast Cancer and the Benefits of Yoga
Doing yoga during your breast cancer treatment can have many physical and emotional benefits.
Support During Treatment
Take advantage of our programs and services for patients with breast cancer.
It’s natural for patients who are undergoing treatment for breast cancer to have many questions, such as:
- “What will happen to me?”
- “How do I keep up with the demands of my job and family?”
- “How do I get through this difficult time?”
You don’t have to find the answers to these important questions alone. Your nurse navigator will be there to help you know what to expect throughout your breast cancer journey. Your nurse navigator can connect you with the help you and your family need, from home health aides for in-home care to assistance with tasks you may be unable to complete due to the side effects of your treatment, such as laundry and cleaning.
In addition to your nurse navigator, we offer a wide range of support services for patients during treatment, including:
- Behavioral health care from our Psych-Oncology team, which specializes in helping patients with cancer and their loved ones cope with the challenges of cancer
- Breast cancer support groups
- Cancer rehabilitation, which can help you reduce pain, fatigue and disability during and after breast cancer treatment
- Caregiver services, support specifically for your loved ones who are involved with your care
- Complementary therapies, including acupuncture and massage therapy, as part of our integrative medicine care
- Exercise and Cancer Integrative Therapy Education (ExCITE), personalized exercise programs that have been shown to reduce recurrence rates in patients with breast cancer
- Fertility preservation, which can help protect your ability to have children despite the potential side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy
- Genetic counseling and testing, which can be beneficial to understand your family’s risk for breast cancer or if you have breast cancer that returns after initial treatment
- Lymphedema Rehabilitation Clinic, which can help reduce or eliminate swelling of your arms and legs due to lymph node removal or drainage during breast surgery or radiation therapy
- Nutrition care from registered dietitians who specialize in nutrition issues relating to cancer care and treatment
- Palliative care, which focuses on providing relief from the symptoms of breast cancer and of treatment, as well as guidance as you make decisions about your care
Understanding and Treating Neuropathy
Certain chemotherapies can cause inflammation or directly damage the nerves, causing neuropathy. Neuropathy, which causes pain, tingling, burning or numbness in the hands and feet can be especially difficult to deal with.
Colleen's Corner: Local and National Resources
For more support, visit Colleen's Corner for a list of helpful local and national resources about cancer.
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Connect with other patients with breast cancer
For many patients who are on the journey of breast cancer treatment, it can be helpful to learn from others who are experiencing the same sorts of challenges or who have successfully overcome those challenges. We help our patients connect with others through the following groups:
- Imerman Angels: This program provides personalized connections that enable one-on-one support among cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers. Call (866) 463-7626 or visit their website for more information or to get started.
- American Cancer Society: Through the Society’s Reach to Recovery program, carefully selected and trained volunteers who have experienced breast cancer visit other breast cancer patients one on one to help them meet the physical, emotional and cosmetic needs related to their disease and/or its treatment. This program provides information and support to loved ones and friends. Call (800) 227-2345 for more information.
- Inspire: This online discussion group features several breast cancer communities where patients can share stories, ask questions and find support.
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Financial assistance
We don’t want you to have to worry about financial difficulties while you should be focusing on your breast cancer treatment and recovery. You may be eligible for help with your medical bills through our Patient Financial Assistance Program, which offers discounts and cost reductions based on:
- Income level
- Lack of health insurance
- Residency and citizenship
In addition, you may be eligible for assistance programs sponsored by federal and state government agencies.
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Additional breast cancer organizations and support
You have many resources available in our local communities and nationally that can help during your treatment for breast cancer. These include:
- Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation: This organization offers a help line, financial assistance, education and resources for those diagnosed with breast cancer.
- Shades of Pink Foundation: Offers temporary financial assistance to help women with breast cancer who reside and are undergoing treatment in the Metro Detroit area, which includes Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston and Genesee counties. Contact your Henry Ford Cancer Institute social worker if you are interested in assistance from Shades of Pink. You must have a referral from a healthcare professional.
- Sisters Network Inc.: A national African American breast cancer survivorship program that offers financial assistance for utilities and medical accessories. You can also sign up with the local Detroit chapter to get involved with monthly support meetings, conduct outreach programs and provide breast health resources.