What Breast Cancer Awareness Means to Me as a 23-Year Survivor

Every October, pink ribbons appear everywhere, on clothing, in shop windows, across social media. For many, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder to schedule a mammogram or support a cause. For me, as a 23-year survivor, it’s something much more personal. Breast cancer awareness is about hope, connection, and the power of shared stories. It’s about being a living example that survival is possible, even when the journey seems daunting.

When I was first diagnosed, I was overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty. I remember sitting in the doctor’s office, my mind racing with questions I was too afraid to ask out loud. All I wanted was to meet someone — anyone, who had survived. I needed proof that it was possible to make it through, to live a full life after breast cancer. I remember being asked who I wanted to speak at our support group, and my immediate response was, “A long-time survivor.” Back then, “long-time” meant anyone who had survived more than five years. At the time, so many women that I had met were dying within 5 years. I really needed connection to women who were surviving longer in their journey.

Meeting women who had made it past that five-year mark was like seeing a lighthouse in the distance on a stormy night. Their stories gave me hope when I needed it most. They showed me that life after cancer wasn’t just about surviving, it was about thriving, growing, and finding new meaning.

Now, 23 years later, I am that survivor. I have become the person I once so desperately needed to meet. I don’t run a support group, but whenever I encounter someone who is newly diagnosed or early in their journey, I make it a point to let them know I understand. I share my story, my fears, my victories, and my setbacks. I want them to see that it’s possible to come out the other side, stronger and more resilient.

There is a unique bond among survivors, a sisterhood forged by shared experience. Over the years, I’ve met women who have survived 10, 15, even 25 years. We share our stories, our scars, and our triumphs. We celebrate every milestone, every birthday, every clear scan. These moments remind us that survival is not just about living, but about embracing life fully.

For those just beginning their journey, the road ahead can seem impossibly long. The treatments, the uncertainty, the emotional rollercoaster— it’s a lot to bear. But when they meet someone who has walked that path and come out the other side, it changes everything. Hope is contagious. I see it in their eyes when I say, “I’ve been cancer-free for 23 years.” Suddenly, the future feels a little brighter, a little more possible.

Breast cancer awareness, to me, is not just about pink ribbons or fundraising. It’s about reaching out to others, sharing our stories, and offering hope. It’s about being honest about the hard days, but also celebrating the good ones. It’s about letting others know that the fear never fully disappears, but neither does the hope.

Being a survivor means carrying a torch for others. It means saying, “You’re not alone. I’ve been where you are, and there is life on the other side.” It means honoring those we’ve lost by supporting those still fighting. It means turning pain into purpose, and fear into hope.

Every time I meet a newly diagnosed woman, I remember my own fear and I offer her the hope that was once given to me. That, to me, is what breast cancer awareness is all about: not just surviving, but helping others find the strength to survive, too. Together, we become beacons for the next woman who needs a little light in her life.

This piece reflects the author’s personal experience and perspective as a breast cancer survivor. For medical advice, please consult your health care provider.

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