It will take some time to recover from the physical and emotional changes caused by your treatment. Side effects can vary. Some people will experience just a few side effects, while others will have more.
Learn more about:
- Lymphoedema
- Cording
- Nerve pain
- Thinking and memory changes
- Breast prostheses
- Wigs and head wear
- Changes to body image and sexuality
- Menopause and infertility
Feelings of loss and change
It’s common to feel emotional after a diagnosis of cancer. You may feel a sense of grief or loss – of your health and wellbeing, your femininity, your dreams or freedoms, even what you can wear. Grief can feel like waves of sadness or being teary, and usually settles over time. The busyness of cancer treatment may mean you don’t feel grief until it’s over. If you’re concerned, call Cancer Council 13 11 20 to talk to someone. For more on this see Emotions and cancer.
More resources
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Surgery
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Radiation Therapy
Download PDF612kB
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Chemotherapy
Download PDF673kB
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Targeted Therapy
Download PDF179kB
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Understanding Clinical Trials and Research
Download PDF427kB
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Arm and shoulder exercises after breast surgery
Download PDF316kB
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Breast Prostheses and Reconstruction
Download PDF893kB
A/Prof Elisabeth Elder, Specialist Breast Surgeon, Westmead Breast Cancer Institute and The University of Sydney, NSW; Collette Butler, Clinical Nurse Consultant and McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Cancer Support Centre, Launceston, TAS; Tania Cercone, Consumer; Kate Cox, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Dr Marcus Dreosti, Radiation Oncologist and Medical Director, GenesisCare, SA; Dr Susan Fraser, Breast Physician, Cairns Hospital and Marlin Coast Surgery Cairns, QLD; Dr Hilda High, Genetic Oncologist, Sydney Cancer Genetics, NSW; Prof David W Kissane AC, Chair of Palliative Medicine Research, The University of Notre Dame Australia, and St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, NSW; Prof Sherene Loi, Medical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Dr W Kevin Patterson, Medical Oncologist, Adelaide Oncology and Haematology, SA; Angela Thomas, Consumer; Iwa Yeung, Physiotherapist, Princess Alexandra Hospital, QLD.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
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