Health
After a breast cancer diagnosis, here are 10 important things you should do, experts say
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?”
“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)
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.”
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.
“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.
“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.
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.
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.”
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.
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)
“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.
“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.
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)
“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.
“It’s a lot, so there is no shame in reaching out to others.”
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Journalist Katie Couric is sharing a scary medical episode that she experienced on June 27.
In a post on Substack titled “The Day I’ll Never Remember,” she detailed a sudden episode that left her unable to recall the current month, year and president.
“I thought it was 2024. And I believed Joe Biden was president,” she wrote.
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The event occurred while Couric was attending the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado, during which she participated in two public panels — one on AI and one on journalism — both of which she cannot remember at all.
“I have no idea what we talked about, or of what occurred when the panels ended,” she said.
Journalist Katie Couric is sharing a scary medical episode that she experienced on June 27. (Getty Images)
John Molner — Couric’s husband, who was in attendance at the festival and the two panels — also shared his account.
After the event, someone told Molner that Katie wasn’t feeling well. When he reached her, an EMT and a doctor were tending to her. “I could tell something was off,” he wrote. “It could have been altitude sickness, but Katie was definitely not all there.”
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At the hospital, when Couric struggled to recall the year, the president and her grandchildren’s names, doctors began checking for a stroke.
An MRI revealed no signs of stroke, which was a relief, but “Katie’s ‘fog’ became a lot more apparent,” Molner wrote.
John Molner, Couric’s husband, who was in attendance at the festival and the two panels, also shared his account. (Getty Images)
“She repeatedly asked me the same questions: ‘What was I doing before we got to the hospital?’ ‘Why am I at the hospital?’”
Couric was ultimately diagnosed with transient global amnesia, a sudden, temporary episode of memory loss that prevents a person from forming new memories and may also erase some recent memories, according to Mayo Clinic.
“The cause seems to be as mysterious as the brain itself.”
It is not caused by a stroke, seizure or head injury, and it usually resolves completely within 24 hours.
“[It’s] just a very weird neural episode that’s pretty uncommon and, at least in most cases, is a ‘one and done’ experience,” Molner said.
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Couric said she finally began feeling “like herself” again around 9 p.m. and went to sleep at 2 a.m.
As TGA leaves a “permanent gap in memory” for the duration of the episode and for hours beforehand, Couric said that from around noon on that day until at least 7 p.m. will remain a “big, black hole.”
As TGA leaves a “permanent gap in memory” for the duration of the episode and for hours beforehand, Couric said that from around noon on that day until at least 7 p.m. will remain a “big, black hole.” (Getty Images)
Data shows that approximately three to eight people per 100,000 will have an episode of transient global amnesia, with people 50 years of age and older at higher risk.
The specific cause of TGA is not known, but some experts believe it stems from a “temporary dysfunction in the brain’s hippocampus — the area responsible for creating new memories,” Couric shared.
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“Doctors believe this is driven by brief interruptions in blood or oxygen flow, or microscopic spasm in the blood vessels.”
Episodes could potentially be triggered by intense physical exertion, emotional distress, extreme temperature changes or migraines, experts say.
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Approximately 15% of patients will have a recurrence 10 years later.
“Why did this happen to me? Was the altitude an issue? Was I dehydrated? Tired? Stressed? The literature doesn’t seem to indicate that these are contributing factors, but the cause seems to be as mysterious as the brain itself,” Couric wrote.
Anyone who experiences sudden memory loss, confusion, difficulty speaking, weakness, numbness, vision changes, severe headache or other stroke-like symptoms should seek immediate medical attention or call 911, doctors advise. (iStock)
“All I know is that those hours will be forever lost. Someone described it as my brain failing to hit the ‘record button.’”
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“While this was a freaky occurrence, it could have been much more serious. So ultimately, I’m relieved — even though several hours of a Saturday in June will always be missing for me.”
Anyone who experiences sudden memory loss, confusion, difficulty speaking, weakness, numbness, vision changes, severe headache or other stroke-like symptoms should seek immediate medical attention or call 911, doctors advise.
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Older adults identified as “super movers” are about half as likely to develop cognitive impairment than their peers.
That’s according to a recent study led by Stony Brook Medicine in New York, which evaluated the cognitive function of 4,000 adults 80 and over who participated in multiple aging and longevity studies over several years.
Among this group, 6% to 10% were classified as super movers, which means they walk at a much faster pace than others of the same age and gender — at speeds comparable to people three decades younger.
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The super movers were found to have about half the risk of cognitive decline compared to seniors with typical gait speed.
The findings were published in the journal Neurology on June 16.
Older adults identified as “super movers” are about half as likely to develop cognitive impairment than their peers. (iStock)
“The study reinforces that mobility and brain health are closely connected,” lead study author Dr. Joe Verghese, MD, neurologist at Stony Brook Medicine, told Fox News Digital. “This suggests that preserving mobility may be an important marker of healthy brain aging and resilience.”
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The most intriguing finding, according to Verghese, was that super movers maintained cognitive function despite having similar dementia-related brain changes as their peers.
In postmortem brain analysis, there was no difference in dementia-related pathologies between the super movers and the slower walkers, the study stated.
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“This suggests they may possess resilience mechanisms that help preserve brain function even in the presence of age-related changes,” he said. “Understanding these resilience factors could lead to new strategies for promoting healthy brain aging.”
As the study was observational, there were some limitations, and it does not prove that walking faster prevents dementia, the researchers noted.
Super movers were found to have about half the risk of cognitive decline compared to seniors with typical gait speed. (iStock)
“Other factors, such as cardiovascular health, physical fitness or genetics, may also contribute to both faster walking and better cognitive outcomes,” Verghese said.
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This study adds to growing evidence that what’s good for the heart and muscles also benefits the brain, he noted, adding that “staying physically active remains one of the most effective, evidence-based ways to support healthy aging.”
“Walking speed is best viewed as a marker of overall health, not a treatment.”
“The broader message is that physical activity is important at any age,” Verghese said. “Walking is an easy step-up point because you don’t need any special equipment. You can do it inside or outdoors, and you can do it on a regular basis. You can walk with a dog, you can walk with a friend.”
Any activity is beneficial if it’s done regularly and with the right intensity, he added.
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Rather than just trying to walk faster, the neurologist recommends that seniors focus on maintaining mobility through regular physical activity, strength training, balance exercises and good cardiovascular health.
“Walking speed is best viewed as a marker of overall health, not a treatment,” Verghese noted.
Major public health guidelines from the CDC and U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, such as brisk walking.
Major public health guidelines from the CDC and U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, such as brisk walking. (iStock)
This can be achieved by walking 30 minutes a day, five days a week, or about 20 to 25 minutes most days. Another option is to engage in shorter sessions that add up over the day.
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“You have to do it within your health limitations and medical conditions,” Verghese advised. “So if there are any medical concerns, I would get your physician to clear you before starting exercise.” The good thing about walking, he added, is that you can start at a slow pace and then gradually build up to a brisker pace.
“And then adding on strength and balance training, whatever age you are, I think is also important.”
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