A metastatic breast cancer (mBC) diagnosis can certainly bring out a lot of tough feelings – anger, fear, sadness, loneliness, and more. It’s important not to sweep these emotions under the rug.

Some cancer centers consider mental health support an integral part of your treatment and care. What’s more, better mental health during your illness and treatment may promote better outcomes on multiple fronts.

Here are some ways you can take care of your own mental health during this challenging time.

A diagnosis of mBC can be challenging, but you are far from alone. It’s estimated that 170,000 women in the U.S. are living with metastatic breast cancer.

About 1 in 7 of them have ER-positive breast cancer with an ESR1 mutation. That means you have others you can look to for support, advice, and compassion.

Treatment for ER-positive/ESR1 mBC can come with fatigue, pain, and other side effects. Maybe it was easy to juggle work, family, and your household, but now it may be too much.

If people say, “Let me know if you need anything,” let them know. Prioritize what you need most and ask for it directly. Concrete asks are helpful for people who care but don’t know how to step up.

If you aren’t able to handle your usual workload while you’re in treatment for ER-positive/ESR1 mBC, explore relief options.

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires your employer to offer reasonable accommodations, such as work-from-home days, so you can do your job while living with breast cancer.

The Family and Medical Leave Act allows you to take up to 12 weeks of leave in a year for a serious condition such as metastatic breast cancer.

Research shows that support groups can benefit the mental and emotional health of people with mBC. Even with friends and family to lean on, having someone who’s in the same boat gives you an entirely different kind of support.

Other people living with mBC know what you’re going through and may know exactly what to say when others don’t. They might offer advice and seek yours as well.

If the stress and emotions related to your diagnosis and treatment are keeping you from getting through your days, one-to-one counseling might be a good idea.

Your care team can likely refer you to a licensed counselor who specializes in working with people who have metastatic cancer. Counseling can help you process your diagnosis and learn healthy and effective ways to cope.

The stress, anxiety, and possible depression that may come with a metastatic cancer diagnosis can be made worse by the unknown.

Don’t bury your head in the sand. Learn all you can about ER-positive/ESR1 mBC, including treatment, its side effects, and expected results.

Learning about your diagnosis can improve mental and emotional well-being. It may also motivate you to take better care of yourself and, in some cases, make treatment side effects less severe.

Cancer centers and hospitals often offer art therapy. Programs that offer painting, music, and other artistic expression may improve mood, and relieve stress and anxiety. If your health care facility doesn’t offer art therapy programs, take on your own creative pursuits such as:

• Write poetry or short stories
• Paint
• Sew
• Play an instrument
• Sing

These creative outlets might help combat stress, too.

You won’t always feel like it, but it’s critical to stay connected with friends and continue to socialize throughout your illness and treatment. Studies show that people with cancer who have more social support and activity have better overall mental and emotional well-being.

There’s no need to go to a party or a crowded restaurant if you don’t feel up to it. But make time to invite friends to visit, or join them for a walk or a coffee. It helps!

Yes, it’s important to address feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. This can help you lower anxiety throughout the day.

But it’s also important to give yourself the space and the time to feel whatever you feel. Don’t pressure yourself to “buck up” or “snap out of it” before you’re ready. Acknowledge and honor whatever you feel before you push yourself to move on.