When I was an undergraduate student at Indiana University, I was lucky enough to follow in my mom’s footsteps and … The post Why I Thank My College-Self for My Breast Cancer Survival appeared first on Sharsheret ..read more

If you or someone you love has been recently diagnosed with cancer, you’ve probably seen the terms biomarker and genetic testing thrown around quite a bit. While both types of testing are important, these terms describe two very different things. This article will highlight the role of both tests and help you understand how each may fit into your cancer journey. Biomarker Testing: Biomarker testing, sometimes referred to as molecular or genomic testing, looks for changes in the genes of tumor cells. In many cancers, biomarker testing is used to help choose the best treatment for you – and is t ..read more

By Sharon Galper Grossman The phone call from Maccabi surprised me. Schedule a mammogram? I can barely get through my day taking care of the things that I already have to do. How dare someone add a mammogram to my to do list? Don’t they realize that we are in the middle of a war for our survival? We have rockets in the north, rockets in the south, displaced people, soldiers fighting, hostages who have not been released, wounded soldiers and civilians and soldiers to be buried. We don’t know what will happen five minutes from now, yet someone expects me to worry about getting a disease that I c ..read more

By Tara Colleen Macatee In this deeply personal blog post, I want to share my journey of facing breast cancer as a lesbian woman. Breast cancer does not discriminate, and I encountered a range of emotions, from fear and uncertainty to strength and determination. Through the ups and downs, the challenges and triumphs, I hope to shed light on the unique experiences and perspectives that come with navigating both a cancer diagnosis and the complexities of my sexual orientation. It is my intention to inspire and provide support to others who may find themselves on a similar path. The moment I dis ..read more

Is being a caregiver for a partner really that tough? Well yes. I think so. It was for me. And something tells me that I’m not the only one. My partner, Sarah, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 27. My experiences caused me to grapple with the unexpected difficulties of caregiving and the mistakes I made. A wise man once said that hindsight is 20/20. Reflecting on my missteps made me realize that there are valuable lessons to be shared to help others navigate the caregiving journey. Join me as I talk about these mistakes and what they taught me! 1. Neglecting your own boundaries an ..read more

Going through a health crisis can be traumatic, and breast cancer is no exception. More than  240,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. each year, accounting for about 30%  of all new female cancers. While screening can help to detect breast cancer earlier, when it’s more  likely to be responsive to treatment, the emotional toll of the diagnosis and the journey that follows  can be intense. Life after breast cancer can feel unsettling as a survivor navigates returning to a  normal routine after experiencing a life-altering event. It’s common for patien ..read more

Testing, testing Summer of 2017. I’ll never forget sitting in the doctor’s office at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago where I was having a family meeting with my mom, dad and brother to discuss testing for the BRCA1 gene with our genetic counselor. Still riding my post-graduation high from the University of Michigan at the end of April, and only a few weeks into my first-ever real job working for the global public relations agency Weber Shandwick at the John Hancock tower just blocks away, at 22 years old I was a fresh fish out of water in work and in life. At the appointment, my family and I ..read more

Step-by-Step Guide to Navigating a Breast Biopsy Experience By Lisa Schechter This year, when I went for my routine mammogram, my usual expectation of a normal report took an unexpected turn. Check out part one of this series, “Navigating Uncertainty, Part 1, My Experience In “The Waiting Room.” When my mammogram results led to a biopsy, I was gripped with fear about both the what ifs as well as the unknown of what a biopsy would be like. Unlike the many “what to expect” guides when you are pregnant, there was a lack of “what to expect” guides for a breast biopsy. So I put one together to help ..read more

Approximately 50% of cancer patients need radiation treatment. It is important to be informed before this stage of your treatment.  Please see some commonly asked questions and responses from a radiation therapist who has treated hundreds of patients over the past 6 years.  Please tell us a little about you? My name is Raizy Streicher, I’ve been a Radiation Therapist for a little over six years now. I have four children and live in Spring Valley, NY.   How did you choose to become a Radiation Therapist?  I always planned on pursuing a career in the medical field but wa ..read more

After two weeks of sporadic nipple pain and an email from my boss reminding everyone to be on top of their cancer screenings, I heard the words that no 30-year-old mom wants to hear: “You have triple-negative breast cancer.” And just like that, I was propelled from a world of potty training and preschool to one of chemotherapy and surgery. Although I am extremely blessed to have two daughters, Sara (5) and Lily (2.5), I was lucky to have time to complete fertility preservation treatments before starting chemotherapy. Because triple-negative breast cancer is a more aggressive form of cancer, ch ..read more