Moments of Joy
- Shannen Doherty shared a video of her and best friend, Sarah Michelle Gellar, enjoying some quality time together
- Doherty is currently battling stage 4 breast cancer
- Experts tell SurvivorNet that taking part in activities you enjoy, and having an emotional support system, is linked to better outcomes during treatment
Doherty shared a video on Instagram of her and Gellar, 43, of the two of them participating in the “wine challenge,” which is viral internet game where two people have to balance and drink out of a wine cup. In the video, Doherty holds the wine glass with her teeth, and has to tip her body back so Gellar (who is behind her) can drink from the glass. It’s obvious Doherty and Gellar are taking the challenge seriously, but the friends can’t help but break out into giggles throughout the whole ordeal. In the end, they were successful, but it was the joy Doherty was experiencing was the most important moment.
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Navigating a Stage 4 Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Stage 4 breast cancer, also known as advanced breast cancer, may sound scary, and while there is no “cure,” there are still a number of treatment options available to women. With an advanced diagnosis, the goal of treatment is to keep you as stable as possible, slow the tumor growth and improve your quality of life.
Related: 5 Things That Do Not Cause Breast Cancer, Because Facts Matter
Options for advanced breast cancer usually include hormone therapy, chemotherapy and targeted drugs. In some cases, surgery or radiation may be considered depending on how you respond to prior treatments.
Dr. Elizabeth Comen breaks down stage 4 breast cancer, and treatment options
The Importance of a Support System During Cancer Treatment
Studies prove that cancer patients who are able to focus on their emotional health, and remain positive during treatment, have better outcomes. A support system plays a huge role in this, because having a cheerleader by your side can lift spirits even during dark moments.
It’s understandable that many patients may not be able to think of anything except their cancer diagnosis, but experts tell SurvivorNet that it’s important they still take part in activities they enjoy doing and get their mind off the disease for a moment.
“Working on your emotional health, your physical well-being, your social environment, your emotional well-being, working on those things and making them better are important and can impact your survival,” Dr. Dana Chase, a gynecologic oncologist at Arizona Oncology, tells SurvivorNet. “If that’s related to what activities you do that bring you joy, then you should try to do more of those activities.”
Dr. Dana Chase explains why emotional support and health are important during cancer treatment
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