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Aleta Williams
Aleta Williams owns Aleta’s Bras and Lingerie, located at 5601 E. Central (SE Corner of Central & Edgemoor) in East Wichita, offers almost 50-years of experience fitting bras and giving the very best customer service. Aleta’s carries several lines of fashionable swimwear including Gottex, Miracle Suit, and Carol Woir. Aleta also works with ladies who have had breast surgeries, mastectomies, and lumpectomies. You can contact Aleta by phone at (316) 682-0132.
Intimate Apparel
2011-07-01 08:32:00
’ve got breast cancer – series
Answer: As you might recall from my previous articles in this series, most women, like you, have dozens of questions. Some of these questions might deal with a second opinion, method of treatment, alternative treatments, radiation, chemotherapy, stigmas, depression support groups, going out in public, clothes, wigs, bras, swimsuits…and a host of other topics. To know that they all fit in one of five areas, is part of the organization that will help you go about handling this challenge. These areas are: physical, mental, social, spiritual and material. This month, we will deal with the social side of being diagnosed with breast cancer. As I have done in my previous articles, I have supplemented information in this article with information from several sites, including www.cancernetwork.com. The major psychological and social stressors of a breast cancer diagnosis are related to the woman’s understanding of her disease, its prognosis, the complexity of treatment, and all too often, her access to care and/or choice of providers. Even the most psychologically strong individual will be overwhelmed by the number of medical visits, procedures and waiting times during the initial diagnostic process. This is then followed by the need to organize care with multiple providers (surgeon, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist, plastic surgeon) and often second opinions to assist in decision-making. The complexity of primary treatment, information overload (from health-care providers, well-meaning acquaintances, books and the Internet), the move toward shared decision-making, and the vulnerability that a cancer diagnosis engenders, all threaten the emotional well-being of the woman. Facing many months of treatment leads to disruption in social activities (childcare, work, care giving) and decreases the ability to plan and multitask. This is exacerbated by the physical toll that primary treatment often extracts. Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer affects women physically as well as psychologically. There are many obvious and real factors that are related to psychological distress in women coping with breast cancer, such as facing a life-threatening illness, painful and impairing treatments, and significant role changes. Although these factors are clearly important, issues related to body image in women faced with breast cancer can also add to psychological distress. Women, in general, are concerned with their appearance, their weight, and their body, with recent studies suggesting 89% of women reported concerns with weight. Such concerns are often deeply ingrained and can contribute to psychological distress in women treated for breast cancer. Breast cancer treatments today are likely to cause less physical deformity from surgery than a half-century ago, but are more complex and extend over a longer period of time. Women today are often well informed about the details of their cancer diagnosis and prognosis, and are increasingly involved in shared decision-making regarding treatment. Although serious depression is not seen in the majority of breast cancer patients and survivors, many will experience treatment-related distress, fear of recurrence, changes in body image and sexuality, as well as physical toxicities that result from adjuvant therapy. Breast cancer diagnoses and treatments are life-altering events. Impacts the women, and their relationships with spouse, family and friends can be profound. Having a serious illness of any kind often contributes to psychosocial difficulties. Prevalent issues among breast cancer survivors include mood disorders, fatigue, anxiety, impaired cognition and sexual dysfunction. These are usually most severe and intense during the first year after diagnosis. Breast cancer survivors, their physicians and caregivers can take heart from a few observations: (1) Most impairments resolve with time. (2) Long term quality of life among breast cancer survivors is quite high, similar to age matched controls. Survivors of breast cancer usually identify many positive aspects of life after the diagnosis of cancer. They often adapt an optimistic outlook on life, a renewed sense of confidence, purpose and vitality. They often have a heightened awareness of health issues and are interested in lifestyle modifications and medical evaluations that can make them feel better and live longer. The bottom line is…you will get through this. Next month, in our continuing series, we will talk about the spiritual side of a breast cancer diagnosis.
 
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