Recommended Products and Vendors
Aromatherapy for the Home
Aromatherapy is an effective and natural complement to other alternative medicine and traditional medicine treatments. Different scents send different messages to our brain, which directly and instantly affect our mood. Aromatherapy can help us visualize, promote clarity and wellbeing, relax tensions, accelerate healing, relieve stress and depression, and restore balance and hope. By doing these things, aromatherapy is thought to heighten our immune system and our body’s ability to ward off disease and infection. View all Preferred Products!
Beach Cover Ups and Resort Wear
Every woman wants to feel glamorous, fit and stylish when she is at the beach, sitting poolside, on a cruise or frolicking at her favorite resort. And, with the increasing amount of information about the effects of sun damage, many women also want to be sure they have ample sun protection. We understand that, as a breast cancer patient or breast cancer survivor, you probably have those and other concerns. You may be self conscious about your body or afraid of getting a sun burn that can lead to dry and cracked skin. Take heart, you’re not alone! We have researched hundreds of beach cover ups and resort wear pieces for you. With a few strategic resort wear pieces that are designed to flatter and protect you, you can step out confidently and in style. Think sexy sarongs, captivating caftans, breezy beach kimonos, ravishing wrap skirts, tantalizing tunics, and jaunty jump suits!
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Footwear
No matter who you are, comfort starts with the proper footwear. But, for breast cancer patients and survivors, we know the proper footwear is critical because blisters, pinched toes, ankle cuts, rubbed arches, and excess pressure on your feet can all lead to lymphedema and cellulitis. We have tried out footwear of every kind with your needs in mind and we have compiled a list of Preferred Vendors who sell stylish and comfortable footwear for work or play.
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Handbags and Totes
It may not seem important, but the construction of your handbag or tote can have a dramatic impact on you, especially if you have had breast cancer surgery or lymph node dissection. The ergonomic benefits aside, by selecting a bag that is made from a soft, lightweight material and has a long handle (ideally, with a drop of 10 inches or more), adjustable shoulder strap or cross-body strap, you can reduce the risk of getting lymphedema or cellulitis. You may also find it helpful to wear your bag on your unaffected arm and reduce the number of items you carry with you on a daily basis. Any action you can take to minimize stress on your arms and to eliminate irritation or constriction under your affected arm(s) go a long way to sidestepping lymphedema or cellulitis. Treat yourself to a fun, lightweight bag and take a load off your mind!
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Hand Sanitizers
One of the easiest ways to sidestep infection is by following your mother’s advice – wash your hands! Even when you’re on the go, you can keep your hands clean by using a waterless, anti-bacterial hand sanitizer. Many hand sanitizers contain isopropyl alcohol (essentially, rubbing alcohol), which can dry your skin and cause irritation and cracking. View all Preferred Products!
Head Wear
The proper head wear is especially important to breast cancer patients and survivors. If you are still undergoing breast cancer treatment, you may be dealing with hair loss, which can be devastating. But whether you are still undergoing treatment or whether you beat breast cancer years ago, it is important for you to avoid over exposing your scalp, face, neck and upper shoulders to the sun or wind. Sun or wind burn can lead to dry, peeling, blistering and cracked skin, common entry points for bacteria and infection. We have researched and selected kerchiefs, head scarves, turbans, caps, sun hats and other head gear that are made from lightweight materials, promote air circulation, and provide intense sun or wind protection. We’ve made it fun and easy for you so you don’t have to lose your head over your head gear anymore! View all Preferred Products!
Insect Repellents
Because lymphedema and cellulitis can be caused by a bacterial infection, it is important for breast cancer patients and survivors to be well protected against insect bites and stings. Infection can also arise as a result of dry or cracking skin and skin irritation, so it is equally important that you select an insect repellent that is formulated for sensitive skin. Finding the right product for you is a delicate balance, and we can help.
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Jewelry
As a breast cancer patient or survivor, it’s important to be mindful that even your jewelry can cause an infection that could lead to lymphedema or cellulitis. We know plenty of women who get rashes when they wear costume jewelry or who have scratched themselves with their own wedding bands and engagement rings. Of course, we’re not suggesting that you take off your wedding band or engagement ring, but there are ways you can reduce your chances of infection by wearing certain kinds of – still stunning -- jewelry. View all Preferred Products!
Lip Balm
Keeping your lips moist and protected is essential to maintaining luscious and crack-free lips. Sun and wind burn, cold sores, and chapped and cracking lips are painful, unattractive and can subject you to infection. There is a delicious cornucopia of lip balm products to choose from but we recommend products that are Isopropyl alcohol-free, since alcohol itself can dry your lips. We also do not recommend Petroleum-based or Paraffin-based lip balms because they tend to be greasy, do not provide deep healing properties, are not healthy to consume, and require frequent reapplication to be effective. Most of the lip balm products we suggest are made from natural ingredients like Vitamin E (also known as Tocopherol), vegetable oils, lanolin, shea butter, cocoa butter, beeswax, sunflower oil, anise oil, and other yummy botanicals.
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Music Therapy
Music has the power to facilitate physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing by reducing anxiety and stress, alleviating dissatisfaction, promoting clarity and peace, increasing focus, and restoring balance and hope. Some studies have found that music therapy can lower heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate and that it can relieve chemotherapy-induced nausea, vomiting and depression. By doing these things, music can dramatically improve your quality of life and overall sense of wellbeing. Although music cannot cure disease or illness, its positive effects can be maximized by using music therapy in connection with physical exercise, yoga, meditation, massage therapy, aromatherapy, and in other parts of your daily life. View all Preferred Products!
Yoga Wear
Studies have shown that yoga has a dramatic positive effect on women who are managing the side effects and after effects of breast cancer treatment. For women who are still undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, the breathing exercises associated with yoga have been shown to reduce the feeling of nausea. For women who have completed their treatment or have undergone breast cancer surgery, the stretching exercises associated with yoga have been shown to assist women in regaining range of motion in their affected arm(s), opening the chest to promote deeper breathing, and aiding in circulation. In any case, yoga has demonstrated its ability to help breast cancer survivors like you achieve a higher quality of life, increase physical and mental stamina, and boost your immune system. The healing effects of yoga are multiplied by using aromatherapy and music therapy in tandem with yoga. View all Preferred Products!
"The richness of the human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome."
- Helen Keller
According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 25-50% of breast cancer patients and survivors get lymphedema, even 15 or more years after breast cancer treatment.
Nail care tip: Don't cut your cuticles. Use cuticle remover cream or gels rather than scissors or a cuticle cutter. Push your cuticles back gently using a cuticle stick.
Lymphedema is caused by an abnormal accumulation of water and fluid that contains high molecular weight proteins. These fluids and toxins must be eliminated through the body’s lymphatic system. But, for breast cancer patients and survivors who have had radiation therapy and/or undergone lymph node dissection, efficient elimination of these fluids becomes more difficult because their lymphatic systems have been disturbed by their cancer treatment.
The National Cancer Institute and the National Lymphedema Network provide useful information about the causes, risks, symptoms and treatments of lymphedema and cellulitis. Please visit their respective websites at www.cancer.gov and www.lymphnet.org.
