New joint guidelines issued Tuesday for breast cancer survivors look at issues facing women after treatment.
This is all new help and guidance for the women who kick cancer then face health-related problems like depression, heart and bone issues, sexual health issues and obesity, to name a few.
"I love photos," said Kametra Barbour, who started documenting her life years ago following her breast cancer diagnosis. "I got into photos because I thought I was going to die."
While her photo collection grows, five years later, Barbour is a cautious survivor.
"To think about if the cancer is going to come back — I definitely think about that. It's on your mind all the time," she said.
Her anxiety is normal for a survivor. Now, doctors are offering new guidelines to help her, and others, work through it.
"What is under their control after their cancer diagnosis is also good for their health," said Baylor breast oncologist Dr. Michael Grant. He added there's a great need for guidance.
"We're doing so well treating these cancers, we have so many survivors that now we have to consider the survivorship issues," said Dr. Grant.
Some of the issues addressed in the guidelines include: depression, obesity and pain.
"Some days my hands hurt so bad I can't even open a jar," said Barbour. "I have to have my husband do it."
The survivors' guidelines will be helpful for both healthcare providers and patients.
The guidelines also suggest that Barbour doesn't need to get full body scans every time she sees her doctor. Monitoring symptoms and normal blood work, according to the findings, are enough. With that part, Barbour said, she disagrees.
"I'm going to fight," she said. "I'm going to ask for every possible scan that I can."
Barbour is now focused on her health and losing weight. She's already down 97 pounds.
"I walk every morning... that has really made a big difference," she said.
Barbour plans to stay focused on her weight loss, her family and their growing picture collection, together.
The guidelines are issued by the American Cancer Society and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Researchers came up with these after analyzing 237 published studies and consulting with experts in primary care, gynecology, radiology, nursing, surgical and medical oncology.
