Emotional Care Important In Breast Cancer Recovery

PINECREST (CBS4) - There's no doubt that proper medical care benefits people who are dealing with breast cancer but did you know that emotional care can also have a real medical impact?

"You get used to always giving the help, not getting the help and I didn't know how to do that," said breast cancer survivor Gayle Dubin.

Dubin is a wife, mother of 3, and oldest of 4 siblings. She was used to being there for everyone. But when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer of 2009, the 49-year-old Pinecrest woman says she had to learn how to let others help her.

"I had a waiting list of people that wanted to come with me to all my chemo treatments," said Dubin.

Gayle credits that list of people with helping her heal and her doctor says she's right on target.

"There's scientific evidence that women who have the support of a significant other does much better," according to oncologist Dr. Nilza Kallos.

"I knew I had to fight as hard as I could to get better because I had so many people that love me and need me and want me in their life," explained Dubin.

So Gayle kept up the fight through her chemo, radiation and hair loss. Her friends, husband Richard, and 3 grown children fought right there with her.

"My daughter organized a big group of people to walk in the breast cancer walk last fall. They walked for team Gayle.

Gayle says she feels like she went through this experience for a reason and now she wants to help others facing the same challenges.

"The best advice that I could give anybody, any woman going through this, would be to allow yourself to be loved and taken care of by the people around you," said Dubin.

For more information about breast cancer education, diagnosis and treatment, just go to this website, Susan G. Komen for the Cure Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Chapter