Caring For Yourself With ER+/ESR1 Metastatic Breast Cancer

Hormone (anti-estrogen) therapy can help slow the spread of cancer cells in your body, but they can also cause frustrating side effects like hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, fatigue, and weight gain. These issues don’t need to be your “new normal.” Let your doctor know if you’re uncomfortable or have trouble getting through your day. They can help treat your side effects or adjust your hormone therapy treatment.

Nutritious foods support your immune system and give you the energy you need to manage metastatic breast cancer.

Don’t feel like eating? Try five or six small snacks during the day instead of big meals and try to eat:

• Fruits, veggies, whole grains, and plenty of proteins
• Chicken, beans, eggs, nuts, and seeds
• Dairy products like Greek yogurt or cottage cheese

Good sources of protein can help your body because you’ll need more protein when you’re fighting cancer. 
 

Your body is about 60% water, so drink lots of fluids to get the right nutrients into your cells. Without enough water, it’s harder to flush toxins and waste from your body. And cancer treatment side effects may feel more intense. 
Here are a few tips:

• Aim to drink 2-3 liters of fluid each day. 
• Water is best. 
• Add fruit to water for some flavor. 
• Sip tea, sports drinks, or other caffeine-free drinks to stay hydrated.
   

Some early data suggests that stress can make it easier for cancer cells to spread. Long-term stress can also cause symptoms like headaches and stomach upset. And this can affect your day-to-day life. But you can try to:

• Do your best to keep your stress in check. 
• Get regular physical activity to combat stress.
• Try mindfulness techniques to get out of your head. 
• Try guided imagery, walking, or seated meditation, or even deep breathing.
   

Like many cancers, metastatic breast cancer can change how you feel about your body. Everyone can feel differently with metastatic breast cancer. But you may feel self-conscious, disconnected, or like your body has betrayed you.

This can take a toll on your mental health. But you can find ways to reconnect with your body. You can try to:

• Do yoga.
• Get a massage.
• Soak in a relaxing bath.
• Talk to a therapist.
• Talk to others with breast cancer.

Sharing what you’re going through can also help you see your strengths.
 

Sleep is a key part of your cancer treatment plan. It can help clear out brain fog, boost your mood, and benefit your body’s immune system. To sleep well, you can try to:

• Keep your bedroom cool, quiet, and dark. 
• Relax before bedtime with music or meditation. 
• Get up and do something calming, like read, until you feel sleepy again if you wake up during the night. 

But let your doctor know if insomnia’s an ongoing issue. 
 

Cancer treatment can take up a lot of time and energy. Pay attention to how you spend what you have left.

You might ask yourself, “What makes me happy?” or “What gives me the most meaning?” Then try to do those things as much as you can.

Doing activities you love can be a welcome break from thinking about your breast cancer. It can also empower you and provide a sense of joy in your life.
 

When you live with metastatic breast cancer, a lot can feel out of your control. To feel more empowered, here are some tips to learn more about our condition:

• Make a list of questions for your doctor before each visit. 
• Ask “Could you explain that another way?” if you don’t understand something. 
• You can also enroll in a clinical trial. 

Clinical trials rely on volunteers to try new treatments. And you’ll also get access to extra attention and care.
 

If you haven’t already, think about joining an online or in-person support group for people with metastatic breast cancer. It’s a safe space to vent and a way to get advice and insight from people with the same diagnosis.

Connecting with others can help you feel less isolated. Talking about what you’re going through may also make it easier to live in the present and help you focus on the future.
 

Cancer raises your risk of mental health issues like anxiety and depression. With so much else going on, you might not even notice mood shifts until your relationships or daily life are affected.

Talking to a therapist can help. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you spot unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors so you can change them. Ask your doctor to help you find someone you can talk to.