How a Breast Cancer Diagnosis Can Impact Your Mental Health

Whether a breast cancer diagnosis came about because you’re experiencing symptoms, or it was picked up by a screening, that diagnosis can come as a shock. 

Anyone who has had an abnormal health screening knows the stress of waiting for biopsy results, acknowledges psychologist Andrea Bradford, Ph.D., an associate professor in the department of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston.

It’s no surprise that research shows depression or anxiety are common after a breast cancer diagnosis. 

The Emotional Side Effects

A cancer diagnosis brings uncertainty—waiting for scan results, treatment plans, and post-treatment surveillance.

That anxiety starts early on and can flare up throughout, says Monique James, MD, psychiatrist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, NY.  “A colleague told [their] patients, ‘We have to make friends with uncertainty.’”

Breast cancer is everywhere in our culture, but having it can be isolating, Dr. James says. “After a diagnosis, it becomes very personal and unique. There’s no thought process or psychological approach that is incorrect.” 

Anxiety is an expected reaction to a health threat, says Bradford. For some people, the stakes are higher. You may feel distress over pain, fear of dying, uncertainty, body changes, and treatment side effects.

Depression is also common, brought on by the weight of the diagnosis, treatment burnout, or even treatment side effects. “Depression can have a biological basis, related to inflammatory processes or aspects of the disease itself,” says Dr. Bradford.

Your emotions may change at each stage, says Dr. James. “That’s okay. It’s your brain’s way of experimenting with processing.” Having an outlet for emotions is helpful. That could be support groups, practicing stress reduction techniques, or seeking therapy.

4 Ways to Cope

Everyone’s cancer journey differs. Here are some ways to manage the emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis.

Maintain normalcy.

For some people, staying connected to work or other routines can help, says Dr. Bradford. But scale back and rest when needed.

Practice mindfulness or try meditation.

Mindfulness can be helpful for repetitive thinking, worry, and rumination. 

Move your body. 

Once you’re cleared for activity, do low-impact exercises like walking, yoga, swimming, and bicycling. Research finds that those who exercised before and after a breast cancer diagnosis had better survival rates and lowered risk of recurrence. 

No matter what, allow yourself to feel.

People are pressured to be brave and positive, but that is very taxing to a cancer patient, says Dr. Bradford. “It’s perfectly normal to feel anxious, fearful, worried, or sad about things that have been lost or interrupted. Those are normal feelings.”

How to Receive Support

It’s okay to ask for help, but remember that support may look different from the people in your circle. One friend may listen, another may drive you to appointments, while someone else is the one you go to for a laugh.

Relationships often shift after a cancer diagnosis, says Dr. Bradford. “Friends and family may not react as expected.” Patients who don’t receive social support might experience more challenges with their physical health and mental well-being. “There’s no one right way to cope,” she says. “But support groups can help.” 

You might benefit from support from a professional, an active message board on social media, or someone going through a similar experience at your treatment center. Here are some ways to get support after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Find a mental health professional: Look for someone who specializes in onco-psychology. Ask your healthcare team for mental health professional recommendations.

Join peer-to-peer groups: Some hospitals match patients with others facing similar diagnoses or in the same age group.

Visit trusted resources: Consider the American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Komen foundation, and Young Survival Coalition websites.

Engage cautiously in social media groups. Stick to one or two groups that feel like a safe space. “Some voices are louder online,” warns Dr. James. Always get medical questions answered by your doctor.