Getty
ThoughBreast Cancer Awareness Monthhas come to a close, it’s important to keep routine care, treatment and outreach to those affected top of mind year-round.
PEOPLE spoke with five women about their experiences with the illness. From taking part in early screenings to the nicest things their families and friends did for them as they went through treatment, here is what they want you to know about breast cancer.
Some responses have been shortened or edited for length and clarity.
On what they wished they knew before being diagnosed:
Get checked early.
“The importance of getting checked and not taking your regular checkups for granted. And don’t take it lightly. Get checked if you are having any symptoms. You never know when it’s something that needs to be addressed immediately.”
— Anna Pastrano, diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at 43 years old
— Ebony-Joy Igbinoba, diagnosed at age 38
Learn about the different types of breast cancer.
“I wish I knew that breast cancer is so much more than those two words. There are sub-types of breast cancer and it is not ‘advertised,’ nor is it talked about in the media. Not one person going through this disease experiences the same effects as another patient going through the same ‘type of breast cancer.’ "
— Norma Marquez, 43, currently diagnosed with triple-negative ductal carcinoma breast cancer
On what they wish other people knew about breast cancer:
That people who have breast cancer are stronger than you think.
“I wish people understood that even though there is no cure yet, to not treat us like we are fragile or that we are going to drop dead in front of them. I have learned through this journey who my real friends are and who weren’t. It took this disease to really see who was in my court.”
— Norma Marquez
Do not be afraid to go to your screenings.
“Everybody’s experience is not going to be the same. For me it was the early detection that made all the difference. I had already made up my mind that I was not going to go through this with a defeatist attitude. Instead, I found the positive aspect and latched on to that: it’s treatable and I am going to beat this.”
— Michelle Robinson, diagnosed with breast cancer at 67
Michelle RobinsonI had already made up my mind that I was not going to go through this with a defeatist attitude. Instead, I found a positive aspect and latched onto it: It’s treatable and I am going to beat this.”
Michelle Robinson
I had already made up my mind that I was not going to go through this with a defeatist attitude. Instead, I found a positive aspect and latched onto it: It’s treatable and I am going to beat this."
Have conversations with your family members about your health history.
“It’s important to have conversations with your family to identify and understand your risk factors for cancer so you can get screened before the recommended age if needed. It’s also important to know that besides BRCA (BReast CAncer gene), there are several different genetic mutations that can put you at greater risk for developing cancer. For instance, I have an ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) mutation that places me at high risk for breast and pancreatic cancer. Women with breast cancer are at higher risk for getting ovarian cancer. Men can also get breast cancer and should be knowledgeable about these risks.”
— Ebony-Joy Igbinoba
“90-95% of women who undergo testing for high-risk breast cancer genes will test negative, but may have additional breast cancer risk factors that still need to be managed. So much goes into breast cancer risk, including a woman’s own health history, family history and genetic markers. A better understanding of your risk can help you and your doctor make more informed decisions.”
—Nicole Lambert, breast cancer previvor and Myriad Genetics' president and certified genetic counselor
Remember that everyone’s experience is different.
RELATED LINK: Mother and Daughter in Remission After Getting Breast Cancer at the Same Time: ‘It Was Scary’
On the thing, person, or item that got them through their treatment:
“Family, friends, and most of all faith.”
— Anna Pastrano
— Michelle Robinson
“As a single mother, fighting for my two young children kept me going. They started kindergarten and first grade a few weeks before I was diagnosed, and my focus was to make sure their needs were met. My faith in God also provided me solace and strength to fight. Ultimately, I became my own superhero and decided to fight for joy and my family, friends, and community that supported us with love and generosity.”
On how it feels to take control of their own health:
Courtesy of Nicole Lambert
Nicole LambertKnowing my family history and own risk factors provided the information I needed to take control of my health.
Nicole Lambert
Knowing my family history and own risk factors provided the information I needed to take control of my health.
“How empowering it can be. My mother fought breast cancer twice and my aunt died from metastatic breast cancer. My aunt just barely made it to see her son graduate from high school. I knew that I didn’t want to miss a single moment of watching my own son grow into adulthood, his graduations, his wedding, all those moments that I look forward to. My results from a genetic test and risk assessment revealed I had a significantly increased risk of breast cancer. The risk was high enough for me to make a personal decision to have a prophylactic mastectomy. Knowing my family history and own risk factors provided the information I needed to take control of my health. I’m lucky to have had the surgery when I did because when I received the final pathology report, it revealed that I already had two early-stage breast cancers. If I hadn’t known the results of my assessment and acted on those results, the outcome could have been much worse for me. Everyone deserves access to those answers.”
— Nicole Lambert
RELEATED LINK: Breast Cancer Awareness: Products That Give Back in 2021
On the kindest thing that someone did for them while they were in treatment:
“Having my friends put their lives and work on hold to take me to my appointments.”
“Having my sister take me to chemo and another sister-friend drive me home took the burden of traveling to and from treatments off of me. Chemo left me fatigued at the end of the day. Knowing I had a designated driver for the trip home allowed me to relax.”
“There are too many to count. A few examples include GoFundMe, organizing Christmas gifts for me and my kids, organizing a meal train, helping with childcare while I was at appointments, transporting my kids to school and activities, virtual retreats, family trips, prayers, and numerous letters and messages of support.”
“I love cards, so receiving cards of encouragement meant a lot. I also had friends who would occasionally drop off a dinner for me. Receiving phone calls also got me through — I had a number of senior citizen friends who were constantly calling to check on me. There is also a blanket that two of my nieces sent me — things like that were so comforting. Even small thoughtful actions like sending a fruit arrangement meant so much to me.”
“The kindest thing someone did for me while going through treatment was when my friend Jacqui picked me up out of the blue. She didn’t tell me where we were going, but she and her daughters took me to this cute coffee house — I am a coffee lover — and it felt so good to get out of the house and enjoy a great cup of coffee with wonderful company. She has always been doing that, showing up out of the blue so that we can hang out at her place, go for random day/night trips and spontaneous shopping trips.”
On what they wish someone would have done while they were going through treatment:
“I think it’s important that, when you know someone going through breast cancer, you’re checking in on them regularly and offering a hand when needed.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic hit in the middle of my chemotherapy treatment. Prior to that, my family and friends were able to come to appointments and treatment. It was very isolating going to appointments alone, however, people continued to check on us virtually. I learned that no one fights alone, even in the middle of a pandemic.”
Courtesy of Wellstar Health System
Ebony-Joy IgbinobaI learned that no one fights alone, even in the middle of a pandemic.
Ebony-Joy Igbinoba
I learned that no one fights alone, even in the middle of a pandemic.
“When you have cancer, the whole family has cancer, your entire family and circle of friends are all battling it with you. I wish someone would do something for my mom. She has been my rock through this entire journey. It is not easy for a mother to hear that their child has a terminal disease no matter what age their child is. She has been present for every appointment, even with the pandemic, even though she was not allowed inside, and has been supporting me all the way. She deserves a nice trip or something that even I have not been able to do for her.”
—Norma Marquez
RELATED LINK: Jill Biden Marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a Personal Story: ‘I Had to Do Something’
Their advice for people who are currently being treated for breast cancer:
Courtesy of MD Anderson
Anna PastranoStay strong and positive. Have a lot of faith in God and enjoy life one day at a time because tomorrow is never promised to anyone."
Anna Pastrano
Stay strong and positive. Have a lot of faith in God and enjoy life one day at a time because tomorrow is never promised to anyone."
Maintain a healthy attitude.
It’s very important to maintain a healthy attitude, which is easier said than done, but the more you begin to maintain that healthy outlook, it gives you hope."
“Stay strong and positive. Have a lot of faith in God and enjoy life one day at a time because tomorrow is never promised to anyone.”
“If you are currently being treated for breast cancer you need to change your diet and follow the doctors instructions closely. I’d also recommend journaling your appointments or taking notes because this is something you can reflect back on and track your progress along the way.
Make informed decisions.
“I’d also advise all breast cancer patients to make informed decisions. In my experience, getting a mastectomy was a very difficult decision to make. It was an amputation of my breast, a part of my womanhood that I hold dear to me from breastfeeding my kids. I chose it because it significantly decreased my chances of cancer returning.”
Take care of your mental health.
“Seek help from a therapist to address coping with your cancer diagnosis. Onco-psychologists are a great option as they specialize in helping cancer patients. Support groups and peer counselors are also wonderful resources to help navigate the hard realities of the life ling journey in staying cancer-free.”
source: people.com
