Editing Breast cancer (section)

=== Supportive care ===
[[File:Breast reconstruction 15.jpg|thumb|Breasts after double mastectomy followed by nipple-sparing reconstruction with implants]]

Many breast cancer therapies have side effects that can be alleviated with appropriate supportive care. Chemotherapy causes [[alopecia|hair loss]], [[nausea]], and [[vomiting]] in nearly everyone who receives it. [[Antiemetic]] drugs can alleviate nausea and vomiting; cooling the scalp with a [[Hypothermia cap|cold cap]] during chemotherapy treatments may reduce hair loss.{{sfn|Hayes|Lippman|2022|loc="Chemotherapy Toxicities"}} Many complain of [[Post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment|cognitive issues during chemotherapy treatment]]. These usually resolve within a few months of the end of chemotherapy treatment.{{sfn|Hayes|Lippman|2022|loc="Chemotherapy Toxicities"}} Those on endocrine therapy often experience [[hot flash]]es, muscle and joint pain, and vaginal dryness/discomfort that can lead to issues having sex. Around half of women have their hot flashes alleviated by taking [[antidepressant]]s; pain can be treated with [[physical therapy]] and [[nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug]]s; counseling and use of [[personal lubricant]]s can improve sexual issues.{{sfn|Hayes|Lippman|2022|loc="Endocrine Therapy"}}{{sfn|Hayes|Lippman|2022|loc="Breast Cancer Survivorship Issues"}} 

In women with non-metastatic breast cancer, psychological interventions such as [[cognitive behavioral therapy]] can have positive effects on outcomes such as cognitive impairment, anxiety, depression and mood disturbance, and can also improve the quality of life.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Jassim GA, Doherty S, Whitford DL, Khashan AS | title = Psychological interventions for women with non-metastatic breast cancer | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 1 | issue = 1 | pages = CD008729 | date = January 2023 | pmid = 36628983 | pmc = 9832339 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD008729.pub3 }}</ref><ref name=":4">{{cite journal | vauthors = Lange M, Joly F, Vardy J, Ahles T, Dubois M, Tron L, Winocur G, De Ruiter MB, Castel H | title = Cancer-related cognitive impairment: an update on state of the art, detection, and management strategies in cancer survivors | journal = Annals of Oncology | volume = 30 | issue = 12 | pages = 1925–1940 | date = December 2019 | pmid = 31617564 | pmc = 8109411 | doi = 10.1093/annonc/mdz410 }}</ref><ref name=":5">{{cite journal | vauthors = Janelsins MC, Kesler SR, Ahles TA, Morrow GR | title = Prevalence, mechanisms, and management of cancer-related cognitive impairment | journal = International Review of Psychiatry | volume = 26 | issue = 1 | pages = 102–113 | date = February 2014 | pmid = 24716504 | pmc = 4084673 | doi = 10.3109/09540261.2013.864260 }}</ref> Physical activity interventions, yoga and meditation may also have beneficial effects on health related quality of life, cognitive impairment, anxiety, fitness and physical activity in women with breast cancer following adjuvant therapy.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lahart IM, Metsios GS, Nevill AM, Carmichael AR | title = Physical activity for women with breast cancer after adjuvant therapy | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 1 | issue = 1 | pages = CD011292 | date = January 2018 | pmid = 29376559 | pmc = 6491330 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.cd011292.pub2 }}</ref><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Biegler KA, Chaoul MA, Cohen L | title = Cancer, cognitive impairment, and meditation | journal = Acta Oncologica | volume = 48 | issue = 1 | pages = 18–26 | date = 2009 | pmid = 19031161 | doi = 10.1080/02841860802415535 }}</ref>

In-person and virtual peer support groups for patients and survivors of breast cancer can promote quality of life and companionship based on similar lived experiences.<ref name=":42">{{cite journal |last1=Hu |first1=Jieman |last2=Wang |first2=Xue |last3=Guo |first3=Shaoning |last4=Chen |first4=Fangfang |last5=Wu |first5=Yuan-yu |last6=Ji |first6=Fu-jian |last7=Fang |first7=Xuedong |title=Peer support interventions for breast cancer patients: a systematic review |journal=Breast Cancer Research and Treatment |date=April 2019 |volume=174 |issue=2 |pages=325–341 |doi=10.1007/s10549-018-5033-2 |pmid=30600413 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Zhang |first1=Shufang |last2=Li |first2=Juejin |last3=Hu |first3=Xiaolin |title=Peer support interventions on quality of life, depression, anxiety, and self-efficacy among patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis |journal=Patient Education and Counseling |date=November 2022 |volume=105 |issue=11 |pages=3213–3224 |doi=10.1016/j.pec.2022.07.008 |pmid=35858869 }}</ref> The potential benefits of peer support are particularly impactful for women with breast cancer facing additional unique challenges related to ethnicity and socioeconomic status.<ref name=":42" /> Peer support groups tailored to adolescents and young adult women can improve coping strategies against age-specific types of distress associated with breast cancer, including post-traumatic stress disorder and body image issues.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Saxena |first1=Vartika |last2=Jain |first2=Vama |last3=Das |first3=Amity |last4=Huda |first4=Farhanul |title=Breaking the Silence: Understanding and Addressing Psychological Trauma in Adolescents and Young Adults with Breast Cancer |journal=Journal of Young Women's Breast Cancer and Health |date=January 2024 |volume=1 |issue=1&2 |pages=20–26 |doi=10.4103/YWBC.YWBC_6_24 |doi-access=free }}</ref>