Breast cancer: ‘You don’t have to go through this alone’

What exactly is a breast care nurse, and what role do they play during diagnosis, treatment and aftercare?

A breast care nurse is a specialist nurse who cares for people with breast cancer and other breast conditions. We support patients from the time of diagnosis, through the various stages of treatment, right through to aftercare.

I see my role as a link between patients and the various specialists at the breast centre. Whilst the doctors are responsible for medical treatment, my focus is primarily on providing individual advice, support and guidance throughout the entire treatment journey.

This can take many different forms: for example, I attend the diagnosis consultation, explain everything important about an upcoming operation, offer advice on side effects or changes in body image, and provide support with very practical questions about everyday life. Where necessary, I also refer patients to other support services such as psycho-oncology, physiotherapy, social counselling or self-help groups.

I am also available to patients between appointments. Every day I receive phone calls or emails with questions that arise during the course of treatment. Often these are things that only cross one’s mind once at home, or situations where uncertainty suddenly arises.

Continuity is particularly important to me in this regard. Many different specialists are involved during breast cancer treatment. Wherever possible, the Breast Care Nurse remains a familiar point of contact throughout the entire journey, to whom patients can turn with their questions and concerns.

Ms Spörri, for many people affected, a breast cancer diagnosis changes so much from one moment to the next. What are patients particularly concerned about during this initial period – and how can you, as a Breast Care Nurse, offer support?

A breast cancer diagnosis often comes completely out of the blue and can turn life upside down from one moment to the next. Especially at the very beginning, patients often find themselves grappling with a multitude of thoughts and fears all at once: What happens next? What does this diagnosis mean for me and my family? What will the treatment involve? Can I carry on working? Will I see my children grow up?

At the same time, patients receive a great deal of information within a short space of time. In such an emotional situation, it is perfectly normal that they cannot take everything in or make sense of it all straight away.

As a Breast Care Nurse, my primary role is therefore to be a constant point of contact. I take my time, listen and work with the patient to identify what she needs at that moment. I explain the information again calmly, help her find her bearings and guide her through the next steps.

Alongside medical questions, fears and uncertainties often arise. Which topics do you encounter most frequently in your conversations?

The range is very broad and changes as treatment progresses. Immediately after diagnosis, fears and uncertainty about what lies ahead for those affected are often at the forefront.

Later on, the questions often become more specific: How will I cope with the treatment? Will I lose my hair? How will my breast change? Can I continue to work or do sport? What am I allowed to do after the operation? Issues such as sexuality, relationships, the desire to have children or dealing with one’s own children can also play an important role.

Once treatment is complete, other issues and challenges come to the fore. Many women, for example, speak of the fear that the disease might return. Outwardly, normal daily life may resume, but inwardly this transition often takes considerably longer.

During this phase, too, it is important not to remain alone with your thoughts and uncertainties, and to continue seeking dialogue – whether with people close to you, your treating doctors, the breast care nurse, other people affected by the condition, or the psycho-oncology team. Sharing experiences can help you come to terms with what you have been through, regain a sense of security and, step by step, find your way back into everyday life.

Breast cancer affects not only the patient herself, but often her relationship and family as well. How can loved ones offer support – and where do they, too, need guidance?

A breast cancer diagnosis often affects the whole family. Partners and other relatives want to be supportive, but sometimes feel helpless themselves and do not know what to say or do.

Yet support doesn’t always have to be something grand. Listening, being there, accompanying her to an appointment, taking some of the strain off in everyday life, or simply doing something quite ordinary together can already be very valuable.

At the same time, it’s important for loved ones to look after their own needs and recognise their own limits.

If the children are still young, for example, questions may arise such as: What do we tell them? How much can or should they know? How do we deal with the situation together as a family? Such issues can and should also be addressed – whether in our conversations or in discussions with the psycho-oncology team.

If desired, we are therefore very happy to involve family members in the counselling process.

Many patients wish to maintain as much normality as possible during treatment. What can help them cope with the physical and emotional stresses of everyday life?

Anything that makes you feel better and brings back a sense of everyday life and joy should remain part of your routine.

This could be exercise, a walk, time with friends and family, work, sport or even simply a familiar morning routine. At the same time, there may be days when less is possible. Particularly during treatment, one’s capacity and energy levels can fluctuate greatly.

I therefore encourage people to listen to their own bodies and not to feel they have to manage everyday life exactly as they did before the diagnosis. Accepting help is just as important as staying active.

And sometimes it’s also about consciously planning to do things that have nothing to do with the illness and simply bring joy. Because even though breast cancer takes up a lot of space for a certain period of time, all the other things that make up a person and their life remain just as important.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October draws special attention to the disease every year. What message would you like to share with women – regardless of whether they are affected themselves?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October is an important opportunity to raise awareness of the issue. At the same time, I recommend paying attention to your own breast health not just in October.

It’s important to know your own body and your breasts, and to take any changes seriously. If something feels different or you notice a change, you should have it checked by a doctor.

And for women and men who are currently facing a breast cancer diagnosis, a second message is particularly important to me: you do not have to go through this alone. Treatment options for breast cancer have continued to evolve in recent years. At the same time, there are numerous support services available to help those affected throughout diagnosis, treatment and aftercare.