For over a year, Jeanelle tried to convince her doctor that something was wrong. “I had leaking from one of my breasts and it felt heavy,” she said. “But my doctor kept telling me I was too young for breast cancer.” The day Jeanelle felt a lump, she knew it was time to advocate for herself and push for a mammogram.
For anyone in the scientific community, it’s evident that research is the cornerstone to discovery. But the value of research isn’t just measured in breakthroughs or publications. For individuals like Sheila Johnson, it’s about lives saved, extended and improved. Sheila is more than just an advocate in the breast cancer community. She has been living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) for 13 years. In Sheila’s own words: “I believe that research is saving my life.”
In January 2023, Erica learned she had stage 1 breast cancer. Despite the fear her diagnosis brought, Erica felt grateful because the cancer was caught early. “Early detection is so important,” she said. “Being proactive wiht your health, getting regular screenings and not taking anything for granted is paramount.”
In late 2022, Katie, the mother of three young children, learned she had stage 4 (metastatic) breast cancer. “Suddenly we were in this terrifying spot where it became ‘how long is mom going to be a part of this?'”
For Elizabeth Pratt, the chance to participate in Susan G. Komen’s 100-Mile Cycling Challenge on Facebook was more than an opportunity to raise funds while doing an activity she loves; it was the chance to use her platform to raise awareness of the importance of getting regular breast cancer screenings.
When we think of the challenges faced by families navigating the world of breast cancer, the experiences of the youngest members often go overlooked. Enter Camp Kesem a unique sanctuary for children touched by the complexities of a parent’s cancer journey. Ashley Fernandez, living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and mother to an enthusiastic 8-year-old, offers an intimate glimpse into the transformative power of this camp experience.
The progress in how breast cancer is diagnosed and treated is due in no small part to the dedication of scientists, doctors and advocates worldwide, all committed to a future without breast cancer. In particular, the remarkable research conducted by David Mankoff, Ph.D., M.D., is opening a new understanding of diagnostic imaging for breast cancer.
When Lisa Finneran received a phone call during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic asking her to come back for additional testing following her annual mammogram, she found herself in unfamiliar territory. “I didn’t have any family history of breast cancer, so this was a phone call I never thought I would receive,” Lisa recalls.
By Catherine Olivieri, senior vice president of human resources, Susan G. Komen “It’s a matter of trust,” as Billy Joel famously sings. Sounds simple enough, but that sentiment is also the complex root of creating a fearless work culture. Building culture and trust within an organization is year-round work. It’s not just a catchy tagline […]
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive and complex types of breast cancer to treat. Because TNBC lacks the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and HER2, it cannot be treated with targeted therapies that work for other breast cancer types. While the prognosis for TNBC is slowly improving, patients with TNBC are in critical need of better treatment options.
The Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Access to Care Act, H.R.549/S.663, was reintroduced in the 118th Congress earlier this year by Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-02) and Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), along with Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Joni Ernst (R-IA).
Adolescence is a critical time of physical and psychological development for young women and is also the time when breast tissue develops. While research has shown that environmental and genetic factors can increase the risk of breast cancer, little is known about how psychosocial stress experienced during puberty may also influence breast cancer risk.
