Rachel Brown never thought breast cancer would have much of an impact on her life. But everything changed one day in 2004 when her mom, Carol, called with the news that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Since then, Rachel has led her 3-Day team in 35 walks and raised more $300,000 in honor of her mom.
A look at states that have eliminated out-of-pocket expenses for diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging.
A metastatic breast cancer (MBC) diagnosis can cause significant physical, emotional and psychological distress, making it important for people living with the disease to explore complementary and integrative therapies like meditation. These therapies can provide a range of benefits that traditional treatments may not offer.
Jessica was 30 when she learned she had breast cancer. “I had so many emotions all at once and was overwhelmed with new information,” she said. “How could I have breast cancer at such a young age? What did the diagnosis mean? What was I supposed to do next?”
Alison was pregnant with her second child when she was diagnosed with stage 2B breast cancer in 2021. “Treatment is over, but I still deal with side effects,” she said. “Every day it’s a mental game not to get bogged down.”
Kate was 13 weeks pregnant when she learned she had triple negative breast cancer. “I was pretty sure I was going to die and my baby was going to die, too,” she said. “It was a truly frightening time.”
Silvia was just 25 when she learned she had stage 2 breast cancer. “I thought ‘am I going to die?'” she said. “Cancer is a terrible and devastating illness…but my body resisted and I’m still fighting. I’m still waking up everyday.”
In late 2013, Janet was diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. Two years later, Janet was devastated to learn the cancer had not only returned, but was stage 4 (metastatic), for which there is no cure. “I thought no, no, this is not happening,” she said.
Rinaa is a two-time breast cancer survivor. She was initially diagnosed in 2018 and in 2021 learned the cancer had recurred. ” Join a support group after diagnosis. That does not make you feel alone,” she said. “I have met so many amazing women who support me and truly understand me.”
We hope the beautiful blooms of your Cosmos Pinkie flowers will be an inspiring reminder of the important role you’re playing in the fight to end breast cancer. Support like yours gives all of us hope for a future without breast cancer!
In this episode of Susan G. Komen’s Breast Cancer Breakthroughs series, Susan G. Komen’s Senior Vice President of Mission Victoria Smart joins Dr. Antonio Wolff, a medical oncologist at Johns Hopkins University, and Dr. Daniel Stover, a medical oncologist at The James Cancer Center at the Ohio State University, to discuss new possibilities for breast cancer patients through treatment de-escalation.
After COVID-19 led to the cancelation of her local Race for the Cure, Emily Nomberg found a new way to give back in honor of her mom’s legacy through Komen’s DIY Fundraising.
