Blogs

A woman who had an aesthetic flat closure after her mastectomy due to breast cancer explains what the new “Simpsons” character, Dr. Wendy Sage means to her.

Seven years into a diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer, one woman has also nurtured hope.

A breast cancer survivor explains how a group of men made fun of her chest – which is flat due to a double mastectomy – and how she chose to laugh the rude comment away.

One cancer survivor explains why a friend writes letters to his loved ones before each surgery “just in case.”

A young cancer survivor explains the importance of creating connections with others who have been through the same experiences.

A pancreatic cancer survivor explains why he chose to undergo genetic testing and what he learned from the experience.

It’s important to discuss treatment options and whether quality or quantity of life is more important for some patients with cancer, says a caregiver.

Attention to detail is important for cancer survivors, explains a male breast cancer survivor. “Asking guys to examine their ‘chests’ is not only ineffective, but also disingenuous.”

“The financial burden is another gift that cancer keeps on giving,” writes the mother and caregiver of a young woman with breast cancer.

When you’re forced into menopause at an early age, you aren’t as prepared for the changes it brings. A woman with metastatic breast cancer explains the difficulties of medically induced menopause.

Even in the doctor’s office, the words patients hear can cover up the realities of stage 4 breast cancer. “He thought he was offering hope but what he was doing was denying my reality and minimizing the deaths of so many people,” writes a woman with metastatic breast cancer.

A women describes how the difficulties of stage 0 breast cancer is still misunderstood by many.

A cancer survivor explains why she thinks so many people – especially cancer survivors – are so stressed right now and encourages them to share their emotions with others.

A woman explains the most painful and emotionally difficult thing to wrap your head around when dealing with cancer – whether it be your own cancer or that of a loved one.

A cancer survivor shares how to appreciate the good moments and lean on others during cancer. “My dire situation brought out the best of those around me,” he writes.

A woman with ovarian cancer describes how blood work numbers play a key role for patients with cancer and often dictate their thoughts and worries.

The number one reason to participate in a clinical trial is because someone has to do it so new drugs can be developed to treat and even cure cancer. All of the drugs we have now were made possible by patients who were brave enough to try those drugs.

A woman with metastatic breast cancer looks back on the happy memories she made this summer and how she uses them as strength in the face of cancer. “Sometimes, when we’re lucky, the scale tips toward the good,” she writes.

October reminds us that men get breast cancer, too. A male breast cancer survivor shares his thoughts about Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “Controversy creates conversation, and conversation incites action,” he writes.

A woman who was the primary caregiver for her sister with cancer writes about how she regrets not utilizing social media to share updates throughout the treatment journey.

An ovarian cancer survivor explains how attending her 50th class reunion was an emotional experience as she learned of fellow classmates’ cancer experiences and struggles.

What do you do when cancer begins to drive a wedge between you and your partner? “I always feel it could cause the end of my relationship because I’m too much,” writes one survivor.

Sometimes cancer survivors do not realize how hard it is for other people to know what to say. We need to educate them!

I am in awe of what scientists have been able to discover, but we don’t know enough for those 119 women who will die this Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, nor for the 43,881 others who will die before the next Breast Cancer Awareness Month rolls around. We deserve more.

A man who lost his wife due to cancer explains how it changed the trajectory of his family’s lives. He writes, “The question will still weigh on me at times, often in a religious or philosophical sense – was this the plan all along?”

Whether you expect it to or not, what goes around comes around when it comes to life and dealing with cancer, explains a breast cancer survivor.

Cancer steals away so much from your life. Don’t let it take your happiness, too. A caregiver explains how to make an effort to feel joy, regardless of how bad things are.

Every cancer survivor has a different story and experience, and they should not always be looped into the same category. “Like fingerprints, we all have different characteristics and are individually unique,” writes a survivor.

A woman explains how living with Lynch syndrome prepared her for the anxiety felt during the COVID-19 pandemic and discusses a painful loss she experienced.

Health care isn’t something that is done to you. You participate in it. You’re part of the team. If your team is letting you down, say so. If they don’t do better, consider seeking health care providers who do include you in the conversation.