A special event “ Love After Breast Cancer” was held at Jupiter Hospital Pune on Valentine’s Day for couples who have faced breast cancer. Dr Pranjali Gadgil, Breast Surgeon convened and moderated a discussion that was attended by nearly 70 patients and their spouses.
Patients who had breast cancer and may now be cancer free, often face issues in love and intimacy.
Body image concerns due to surgery of the breast, menopausal changes from treatment, stress and anxiety about recurrence can all have impact.
Although initial pain from surgery has gone and hair has regrown after loss from chemo, intimacy issues are seen not to return to normal even 5 years after treatment said Breast Surgeon Dr Gadgil.
Oncologists often do not have the time, training and expertise in the subject matter and patients and partners are often hesitant to ask questions.
Dr Swapna Athavale talked about benefits of breast reconstruction and oncopastic breast conservation on preserving body image. She explained that although immediate breast reconstruction at the time of cancer surgery works best, the breast can even be recreated months and years after a mastectomy has been performed.
Gynecologists Dr Jyotsna Angom and Dr Pallavi Panse described impact of menopause and simple treatments to ease pain and discomfort during inter course. Dr Pranjali Gadgil, palliative medicine specialist discussed need for support to spouses who often become caregivers and face issues like fatigue anxiety and depression.
Dr Himani Kulkarni psychiatrist spoke about addressing issues of anxiety and depression in partners. Oncophysiotherpist Nikita Shastri spoke about importance of early exercises and graduated regimen of increasing activity to build physical endurance and combat fatigue.
Patients shared how simple gestures by their partners like playing a game of cards during chemo, accompanying the spouse to his office get togethers at a time where the hair hadn’t yet regrown was important. It helped these couples maintain normalcy and feel supported in their journey. Some patients had concerns around safety of intimacy-myths around which were dispelled by the panel of experts.