Bonnie Annis

A person with cancer may naturally assume an oncologist will follow them throughout the course of treatment, but when that person survives for many years, things can rapidly change.

Celebrating “cancerversaries” is important to cancer survivors, but what happens when years pass, and the celebrations feel too good to be true? One survivor shares her story.

Many women with breast cancer choose to undergo reconstruction after mastectomy. Of those women, some opt for nipple sparing surgeries while others do not. “Those who choose to save their nipples are often disappointed when the tissue dies or no longer functions as it did before surgery,” writes one survivor. “But why are nipples so important?”

“Each person living with cancer has a story to tell, but some may choose not to share it because of its personal nature,” writes one survivor. In this piece, she describes how she found a way to give her story words.

“All women with breast cancer deserve quality health care,” writes one survivor. “But for an incarcerated woman, that care may not come in a timely manner, if at all.”

A senior cancer survivor shares her experiences with post-cancer finances and offers some advice to others in the same situation.

“Summer finds many of us outdoors and during that time, it’s important to protect our skin from the dangerous rays of the sun,” writes one breast cancer survivor. Learn more about how to use sunscreen, protect your skin and avoid skin cancer.

When a patient’s cancer care team determines treatment is no longer working, it’s time to make some difficult decisions regarding long-term care, writes one breast cancer survivor. Here, she shares advice on how family members can offer their love and support.

Cancer survivors have the responsibility of sharing their knowledge of living in the world of cancer with the newly diagnosed, writes one survivor. Here, she shares ways to offer help.

Summer poses challenges for those who have undergone mastectomy. Learn how one breast cancer survivor found a way to embrace breastlessness while still feeling feminine.

“It’s been almost seven years since I made the decision to stop taking aromatase inhibitors and I’m happy to report I’m feeling great,” writes a cancer survivor. “There are no more unwanted side effects. The decision to stop taking the medication was right for me.”

Some cancer survivors mark the end of their treatment by getting tattoos, but could that body art cause potential health risks? Here a cancer survivor — who has more than 10 tattoos — shares her perspective.

What happens when health is affected by an unexpected illness such as cancer? Does their quality-of-life decline? Here, one survivor writes how she used the gift of recording the details of her journey to better her life after a cancer diagnosis.

Many cancer survivors may feel the urge to use their disease as a convenient excuse for avoiding unpleasant situations, writes a survivor. However, she urges others to avoid giving into that power.

Why do some survive cancer, while others don’t? And why do those who survive often feel the aches of survivor’s guilt? Here, a survivor shares how she learned to cope.

Learning to set boundaries can be a healthy project, writes a cancer survivor. She provides insight into how the hobby of gardening and setting boundaries share commonalities.

Choosing to forego breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery can cause one to feel like the lone ranger, but that feeling doesn’t last long, especially upon the discovery of an entire flattie tribe.

How an app supported by Alexa has helped me answer cancer questions.

A recent visit to the doctor helped to put into perspective the concerns I have for the new year and COVID-19, especially for those struggling with breast cancer and its ramifications.

The holiday season is upon us. For the person with cancer, this can be a daunting time. One cancer survivor shares a few tips and tricks for surviving and thriving this unique holiday season.

2020 has been a challenging year, especially for survivors and those with cancer, but you can look forward to the new year. You just have to imagine the possibilities.

Every October, pink ribbons pop up as a symbol of breast cancer awareness. This year, marketing strategies have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One survivor offers some insight on those changes.

Remember, knowledge is power. The more information you have about your cancer, the less power it has over you.

I’ve already warned my family, if I decide to act a little crazy in the future, don’t worry. I’ve got a good excuse. I can always blame it on the cancer. It’s a good excuse, sometimes.

It seems acceptable in our world to grieve the loss of a loved one, but unheard of to grieve the loss of body parts.

Through a Facebook poll, I discovered that some women found talking about post-cancer sex easy, but for others, including myself, it was a challenge. And I wondered why that was the case.

After a traumatic event, such as breast cancer, it's important for a person to self-monitor. Feelings of anxiety or depression can be debilitating, but there's no reason to suffer in silence.

In this post, learn more about financial toxicity and how to combat it.

Plucking a fat and juicy blueberry from a new mastectomy bra reminded this breast cancer survivor that life can still be sweet.

Celebrating is a vital part of survivorship and those affected by cancer should be allowed to voice their opinions openly.