So, you have your diagnosis, you have your treatment plan, and you think you understand what you are about to walk into, and then boom, just when you thought you had got your head around everything, stress, and anxiety kick in.

Your diagnosis and treatment are a new, unexpected, and unwanted, part of your life, an unwelcomed visitor that you didn’t invite into your home, and it is perfectly normal for the emotional effects of your diagnosis to set in.

This varies from person to person, for some it’s an almost instant thing and for others, it takes a while.

These feelings can range from being a bit uneasy to a continuing sense of dread. You may, at times feel panicky and frightened which are understandable emotions given the challenges you are experiencing.

It can help if you can tune into your body and notice when you are starting to feel stressed or anxious.

Here are a few physical signs of stress and anxiety to look out for:

• A change in appetite

• Sleep disruption

• Muscle tension

• Tightness in the chest

• A racing heart rate

• Difficulty concentrating

• Feeling more irritable than usual

In some cases, anxiety can become so overwhelming that it leads to panic attacks, causing further fear and worry which can also lead to low mood.

You will probably already have some strategies you use to cope when you are finding things difficult, like going for a walk or talking to friends. Here are some other distractions you might like to try.

We know it can take courage to talk about overwhelming feelings, but if you are experiencing stress or anxiety, you can seek support from your consultant or Breast Nurse Specialist.

The Primrose Foundation are proud to have been able to assist with the funding of a Clinical Psychologist, Dr Katie Sleep, to offer psychological support to those considering the reconstruction pathway.

Katie say’s: “It is understandable for a patient to have so many thoughts, feelings, worries and questions, all going on at once. I would like to remind anyone going through treatment to find time to pause, breathe, and be kind to themselves - You have a passionate and dedicated team working to support you during your journey through the service and we will all help you every step of the way”.