The end of the treatments is an important step.
"This moment of rupture with the hospital must be well prepared," says Professor Rouzier, medical director of the senology pole of the Institut Curie. Indeed, the return to "normal life" is not always easy.
Patients are struggling to regain self-confidence and return to their professional activity.
Thermal treatments, physical activities ... Post-cancer supports to better recover
Some institutions, including the Institut Curie, now offer close monitoring, with the continuation of a program of physical activity adapted and nutritional advice to avoid excessive weight gain, common when pursuing hormone therapy over several years.
A coaching to prepare the return to work of women in remission, with meetings and practical information booklets, has also been in place since 2012. Post-cancer spas also appeared * to erase the physical and psychological aspects of the disease.
Cancer treatments often leave painful scars, red and cardboard skin, as well as disorders of pigmentation. Water treatments, physiotherapy sessions to treat lymphodemas, sports workshops and corrective makeup follow one another to reconnect with her femininity and find a general well-being.
The right to be forgotten finally recognized
Long claimed by patient organizations, the right to be forgotten came into effect in February 2017. This considerable advance allows women who have been cured of breast cancer to take out a loan in order to buy an apartment or start a business.
To benefit, the therapeutic protocol (surgery, chemotherapy and / or radiotherapy) must be completed for 10 years. For mild mammary tumors, delays even lower: one year without relapse after stopping treatment in case of ductal carcinoma or lobular in situ, for example.
Previously, banks stigmatized these ex-patients. They refused them any credit or gave them a small sum in the short term with a big surcharge and exclusions of guarantee. Henceforth, the women concerned are no longer obliged to declare their oncological history to the bank, even in the case of long-term hormone therapy. A real victory that allows them, once the cancer page turned, to develop real plans for the future. **
* 3 weeks of treatment are taken care of by social security on prescription. More information on www.laroche-posay.fr or www.avenecenter.com
** Info on Sante Info Rights or Aids at 0800 940 939 (cost of a local call). Contact also Lifeisrose.fr, the association behind the Assurose program, a loan insurance dedicated to women who have had breast cancer.
