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After a breast cancer diagnosis, here are 10 important things you should do, experts say

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After a breast cancer diagnosis, here are 10 important things you should do, experts say

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One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lifetime, statistics show.

The diagnosis can be shocking, scary and overwhelming, leaving the patient with a long list of questions — perhaps the first of which is, “What should I do next?”

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“Hearing the words ‘you have cancer’ is life-changing and brings with it many emotions,” Tingting Tan, MD, PhD, a medical oncologist and hematologist at City of Hope Newport Beach in California, told Fox News Digital. 

“Know that your feelings are perfectly normal and give yourself some time.”

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Fox News Digital spoke with breast cancer experts who have helped other women navigate this tough journey, gathering their guidance about what to do in the days and weeks after the diagnosis.

“Hearing the words ‘you have cancer’ is life-changing and brings with it many emotions,” a doctor said. (iStock)

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1. Take a beat — and breathe

Experts agree that it’s important to give yourself time to process the news.

“It’s natural to want to rush into action, but taking some time and letting the news sink in is important,” Dr. Alyssa Middleton, a psychosocial oncologist in Louisville, Kentucky, and founder of MyCancerResources.com, told Fox News Digital.

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“Allow yourself to feel the range of emotions that come with this life-altering news.”

In most cases, Middleton said, oncologists will wait several weeks to begin treatment to allow time for further testing — “so there’s no need to feel panicked about making decisions today.”

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2. Write down questions and gather information

Once you’ve allowed yourself some time to process the diagnosis, it’s time to learn as much as you can from reliable sources.

“Read the information the doctor provided about the type of breast cancer you have and the stage — a number from 0-4 that describes how big the tumor is, where it is located, and how far it may have spread from the breast,” Middleton advised.

Experts recommend writing down a list of questions to ask your doctor in the days following a diagnosis. (iStock)

Next, it’s important to understand the typical treatments for your type and stage, which may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and/or hormone therapy.

Write down all of your questions and bring them to every doctor’s appointment, Tan advised.

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“Those first appointments can be extremely emotional, and there may still be shock or disbelief,” she told Fox News Digital. “Writing your questions down will ensure you don’t forget them.”

3. Notify — and lean on — your support team

“You aren’t obligated to inform the whole world about your diagnosis,” Middleton said. “Share the news with those who you feel need to know and who will be most supportive.”

You can share as much or as little information as you like, she added. “This is your health, and you control what and how much information is shared.”

“Allow yourself to feel the range of emotions that come with this life-altering news.”

Once you’ve notified your loved ones, it can be helpful to bring a friend or family member to your appointments, Tan said. 

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“This time can be overwhelming, and you want to be sure you understand everything your doctor is explaining,” she said. 

One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lifetime. (iStock)

“Having your support system with you for an extra set of ears can be helpful if you don’t understand something or miss something.”

In your day-to-day life, it’s OK to ask for help, Tan emphasized.

“Loved ones are often ready and happy to help with preparing meals, taking kids to school, or anything and everything in between,” she said.

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4. Consider a second opinion

Studies have shown that getting a second opinion after a breast cancer diagnosis can be beneficial for the patient.

“Second opinions can save lives,” Tan said.

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“Cancer is unique, and if you are diagnosed with breast cancer, you want to see an expert who specializes in your exact type. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor for a second opinion.”

Even if you don’t switch oncologists, seeking a second opinion can provide reassurance that you have chosen the right care team and treatment plan, Tan noted. 

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Studies have shown that getting a second opinion after a breast cancer diagnosis can be beneficial for the patient. (iStock)

“It is essential to do this before starting treatment, as there may be additional options that you should consider,” she said.

Another breast oncologist may have different recommendations on how to treat your breast cancer, Middleton agreed. 

“If the treatment recommendation is the same, you can decide which oncologist you feel most comfortable with and move forward with them,” she said. 

“If the treatment recommendation differs, you can decide which approach you prefer.”

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5. Build your care team

When it comes to seeking care, it’s vital to seek experts who specialize in breast cancer, Tan said.

She recommends choosing an oncologist who practices at a cancer center that’s designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

“When breast cancer is localized – meaning it hasn’t spread outside the breast – the five-year survival rate is 99%.”

“Getting on the right treatment plan at the beginning of your journey is very important,” she said. “Physicians at academic medical centers are the most up to date on the latest treatment breakthroughs and options in the field.”

Dr. Anjeanette Brown, MD, a board-certified breast surgeon at the Premier Surgical Network in New Jersey, emphasized the importance of choosing a health care professional with the proper credentials.

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Experts recommend choosing an oncologist who practices at a cancer center that’s designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). (iStock)

“This person should be your ‘quarterback,’ directing the essential steps that need to be taken for proper evaluation and imaging prior to going into surgery,” she told Fox News Digital.

It’s essential that the patient feels comfortable with her provider, Brown noted. 

“This will be a long, intense relationship, dealing with emotions and physical changes that are about to happen, secondary to surgical intervention, as well as possible medical management,” she added.

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Dr. Lauren Ramsey, a breast cancer surgeon in Ft. Worth, Texas, specifically recommends seeing a breast surgeon (surgical oncologist) in a timely fashion — ideally a provider who has completed a specialized fellowship in breast surgical oncology. 

“Other doctors, such as medical oncologists and radiation oncologists, may end up playing a role — however, the breast surgeon will be able to make those referrals for you,” she said.

6. Connect with others 

Many women find invaluable support from other breast cancer patients and survivors. 

“Online groups can be a great source of support, with others who are further along in treatment sharing their experiences and supporting you in your journey,” said Middleton.

Many women find invaluable support from other breast cancer patients and survivors.  (iStock)

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“If you’re feeling overwhelmed with all the information that’s been thrown at you, you may want to wait a little while to do this,” she added.

7. Think about fertility

For patients who want to have children in the future, it’s important to consider this before beginning treatment, according to Middleton. 

      

“You’ll want to meet with a fertility specialist to learn about your options and make arrangements for any procedures to be done before any breast cancer treatment starts,” she advised.

8. Focus on the good news

While a breast cancer diagnosis can seem ominous, experts agree that prognoses have improved over the decades. 

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“Breast cancer mortality rates have dropped by 44% since 1989, thanks to early detection and treatment,” a doctor said. (iStock)

“Breast cancer mortality rates have dropped by 44% since 1989, thanks to early detection and treatment,” Tan said.

“When breast cancer is localized – meaning it hasn’t spread outside the breast – the five-year survival rate is 99%, based on NCI data of women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2013 and 2019.”

“It’s a lot, so there is no shame in reaching out to others.”

There are also more than four million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., Tan added. 

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9. Maintain an active and healthy lifestyle

Exercise is recommended even with a breast cancer diagnosis, Ramsey said. 

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“We recommend any form of physical activity, whether it’s light walking or a more structured exercise,” she advised. “Continue performing your usual daily activities.”

Adopting a balanced and nutrient-dense diet can also help support the body during treatment and recovery, Ramsey added. 

Exercise is recommended even with a breast cancer diagnosis. (iStock)

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“Focus on lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats,” she said. “Avoid sugary and highly processed foods.”

10. Take care of yourself

It’s important to pay attention to your emotional, psychological and spiritual needs throughout a breast cancer journey, Tan advised.

Brown echoed the importance of self-care.

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“This could include a discussion with a nutritionist, giving yourself the space to accept and adjust to the diagnosis, and finding a support group or therapist,” she said. 

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“It’s a lot, so there is no shame in reaching out to others.”

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Study reveals why chewing gum might actually help with focus and stress relief

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Study reveals why chewing gum might actually help with focus and stress relief

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Humans have been chewing gum for thousands of years, long after the flavor fades and without any clear nutritional benefit.

The habit dates back at least 8,000 years to Scandinavia, where people chewed birchbark pitch to soften it into a glue for tools. Other ancient cultures, including the Greeks, Native Americans and the Maya, also chewed tree resins for pleasure or soothing effects, National Geographic recently reported.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, William Wrigley Jr. transformed chewing gum from a novelty into a mass consumer habit through relentless and innovative marketing. His brands, including Juicy Fruit and Spearmint, promoted gum as a way to calm nerves, curb hunger and stay focused.

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“Are you worried? Chew gum,” an article from 1916 said, according to Kerry Segrave’s book, “Chewing Gum in America, 1850-1920: The Rise of an Industry.” “Do you lie awake at night? Chew gum,” it continued. “Are you depressed? Is the world against you? Chew gum.”

Advertisements have long framed chewing gum as a tool for stress relief and mental sharpness. (Keystone View Company/FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

In the 1940s, a study found chewing resulted in lower tension but couldn’t say why. 

“The gum-chewer relaxes and gets more work done,” The New York Times wrote at the time about the study’s results.

Gum became an early form of wellness, and companies are trying to revive that idea today as gum sales decline, according to National Geographic.

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But only now are scientists finally beginning to understand the biology behind those long-standing beliefs.

Chewing gum may briefly affect attention and stress-related brain activity, according to studies. (iStock)

A 2025 review by researchers at the University of Szczecin in Poland analyzed more than three decades of brain-imaging studies to examine what happens inside the brain when people chew gum. Using MRI, EEG and near-infrared spectroscopy research, the authors found that chewing alters brain activity in regions tied to movement, attention and stress regulation.

The findings help clarify why the seemingly pointless task can feel calming or focusing, even once the flavor has faded.

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Chewing gum activated not only the brain’s motor and sensory networks involved in chewing, but also higher-order regions linked to attention, alertness and emotional control, the review found. EEG studies found brief shifts in brain-wave patterns linked to heightened alertness and what researchers call “relaxed concentration.”

Humans have chewed gum for pleasure for thousands of years, according to reports. (iStock)

“If you’re doing a fairly boring task for a long time, chewing seems to be able to help with concentration,” Crystal Haskell-Ramsay, a professor of biological psychology at Northumbria University, told National Geographic.

The review also supports earlier findings that gum chewing can ease stress, but only in certain situations. In laboratory experiments, people who chewed gum during mildly stressful tasks such as public speaking or mental math often reported lower anxiety levels than those who didn’t.

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Chewing gum did not, however, consistently reduce anxiety in high-stress medical situations, such as immediately before surgery, and it offered no clear benefit when participants faced unsolvable problems designed to induce frustration.

Some studies suggest chewing gum can reduce stress in mild situations but not extreme ones. (iStock)

Across multiple studies, people who chewed gum did not remember lists of words or stories better than those who didn’t, the researchers also found, and any boost in attention faded soon after chewing stopped.

Gum may simply feed the desire to fidget, experts suspect.

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“Although these effects are often short-lived, the range of outcomes … underscores chewing gum’s capacity to modulate brain function beyond simple oral motor control,” the researchers wrote.

“However, at this time, the neural changes associated with gum chewing cannot be directly linked to the positive behavioral and functional outcomes observed in studies,” they added.

A 2025 review analyzed decades of MRI, EEG and near-infrared spectroscopy studies on gum chewing. (iStock)

Future research should address longer-term impacts, isolate flavor or stress variables and explore potential therapeutic applications, the scientists said.

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The findings also come with caveats beyond brain science. Although sugar-free gum may help reduce cavities, Fox News Digital has previously reported that dentists warn acids, sweeteners and excessive chewing may harm teeth or trigger other side effects.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the study’s authors for comment.

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