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Coping and support
By Mayo Clinic staffA diagnosis of DCIS can be overwhelming and frightening. To better cope with your diagnosis, it may be helpful to:
- Learn enough about DCIS to make decisions about your care. Ask your doctor questions about your diagnosis and your pathology results. Use this information to research your treatment options. Look to reputable sources of information, such as the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society, to find out more. This may help you feel more confident as you make choices about your care.
- Get support when needed. Don't be afraid to ask for help or to turn to a trusted friend when you need to share your feelings and concerns. Talk with a counselor or medical social worker if you need a more objective listener. Join a support group — in your community or online — of women going through a situation similar to yours.
- Control what you can about your health. Make healthy changes to your lifestyle, so you can feel your best. Choose a healthy diet that focuses on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Try to be active for 30 minutes most days of the week. Get enough sleep each night so that you wake feeling rested. Find ways to cope with stress in your life.
References
- Abeloff MD, et al. Cancer of the breast. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2008:1875.
- Iglehart JD, et al. Diseases of the breast. In: Townsend CM Jr, et al. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery: The Biological Basis of Modern Surgical Practice. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1565/0.html. Accessed April 15, 2011.
- Breast cancer. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/breast.pdf. Accessed April 15, 2011.
- Ganz PA. Quality-of-life issues in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ. Journal of the National Cancer Institute Monographs. 2010;41:218.
- Deng GE, et al. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for integrative oncology: Complementary therapies and botanicals. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology. 2009;7:85.
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