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Effects of Breast Cancer on Women

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Breast cancer is cancer that starts in the tissues of the breast. According to Breastcancer.org, in 2013, an estimated 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S.. Breastcancer.org also says that one in eight U.S. women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Women that discover that they have been diagnosed with breast cancer will have to deal with the life altering changes. The effects of breast cancer on women can include long-term effects, how women cope, and large changes to their bodies.
Women can choose whether or not to remove their breast cancer, but it can also change the way they live their lives forever. They will have to endure ongoing treatment that will cause temporary side effects. Most of those side effect will disperse soon after their treatment is over, but some side effects can develop into long-term effects. Long-term effects after breast cancer can be hard for some women to handle. Every woman is different when handling treatment. Some symptoms after treatment that could turn into long-term effects include early or re-occurring menopause, hair loss, pain, fatigue, and sleeping problems, osteoporosis and infertility.
After treatment, a survivor of breast cancer can experience strong menopausal symptoms. The symptoms are usually more intense and painful than the natural feelings of menopause. Menopause can cause hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, joint pain, weight gain, and loss of sex drive. Menopause usually occurs in older women but having breast cancer can cause menopausal symptoms really early in younger women. These symptoms can become permanent even though they are usually temporary.
Hair loss is very common when a woman with breast canc...

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...par. 10). No woman is alone in the way they are feeling. Women should talk to their families, friends, and professionals on the effects they are feeling. The support women receive can make their cancer a more positive experience.

Works Cited

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Hill, Jane. "CURE." CureToday.com: Fall 2013 Article. N.p., 16 Sept. 2013. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.

Huber, Joy. "Coping with Cancer - Today's Feature Story." Coping with Cancer - Today's Feature

Story. Coping with Cancer Magazine, Sept. 2013. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.

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