Breast cancer treatment often causes women to enter menopause prematurely. The change in hormone levels and estrogen depletion caused by stopping hormone replacement therapy or undergoing chemotherapy or hormonal therapy can trigger side effects commonly associated with menopause.

When it comes to coping with the life-changing reality of a breast cancer diagnosis — and navigating the confusing world of treatment options — a strong support system is crucial.

For months, AMA member Christiana Shoushtari, MD, MPH, a third-year internal medicine resident at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois, was fighting on the front lines, attempting to beat back a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. Over the summer, she confronted another daunting opponent—breast cancer.

Having regular bowel movements during chemo is important to help detox the body of chemotherapy medications. In doing so, other side effects of chemo can be reduced. Backed-up bowels can also contribute to or worsen nausea and vomiting.

Hyperplastic axillary nodes are common after the administration of a vaccine that prompts a strong immune response, including the current COVID-19 vaccines. Consequently, radiologists should keep this side effect in mind when viewing breast images, said the team led by Nishi Mehta, M.D., a Weill Cornell body and breast imaging fellow.

When I was first diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC), I knew what the side effects of chemo were going to be like because I had gone through chemo & radiation for stage 1 breast cancer a mere 1.5 year before...and how EVERYTHING you do in the day takes energy (spoons) to pay for it, I had an ah-ha moment...I realized how precious my energy is and how important it acknowledge where I spend my energy.

Participating in a clinical trial is a very personal decision, and a choice that is completely yours to make. If it feels right to you, there are several good reasons to participate...

Every year more than 650,000 cancer patients in the United States receive chemotherapy. During their therapy, some of them experience confusion, lapses in memory and attention, and difficulty concentrating, a collection of symptoms known colloquially by patients as “chemo brain” or “chemo fog” and more formally by clinicians as cancer-related cognitive impairment.

Lymphedema is a common side effect of cancer treatment. By learning about this diagnosis and its treatment options, communicating with your health care team, and surrounding yourself with a support network, you will be better able to manage your lymphedema and experience a better quality of life.

Being thrust into a whirlwind of shock, confusion, anger after a breast cancer diagnosis can feel like a lesson in losing control. So, we asked around the Rethink community and came up with a list of considerations to keep in mind to help those who are newly diagnosed reclaim a sense of agency during this time.