When Marianne got sick in 2023, she thought it could have been COVID-19 or another illness. But after a few months, she just wasn’t getting better. During that time, Marianne was also experiencing some pain in her breast but chalked it up to rough playtime with a boisterous new puppy. But that all changed in […] The post Marianne’s Story of Finding Hope with Metastatic Breast Cancer appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation ..read more

For those who are sober, hearing the words, "You have breast cancer," changes everything in a moment and can pose a unique set of circumstances. It’s important for sober women—those in recovery from alcohol or drug abuse—to come up with a plan that will honor their sobriety while allowing them to undertake the treatment they need. The post Maintaining Sobriety During Breast Cancer Treatment appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation ..read more

When Abigail was diagnosed with DCIS at 31, she reached out to an NBCF support group for community and encouragement. The post A Story Inked in Hope: Abigail’s Journey Through DCIS appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation ..read more

The Fab Over 40 competition serves as an incredibly successful example of a corporate-philanthropic partnership that makes a genuine difference for NBCF and the women we support and serve every day. The post The Power of Grant Partnerships: Fab Over 40 Empowers Breast Cancer Survivors appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation ..read more

Written by Annie Cavalier, MS, RDN, LD Many cancer patients are, understandably, very concerned about the food that they put into their bodies and how it affects their prognosis. Misinformation and a lack of clear guidelines on these topics only add to these anxieties. A question that commonly comes up when talking about cancer and nutrition is whether sugar feeds cancer cells. In this article, we will talk about the basics of how carbohydrates are metabolized and how this relates to cancer, as well as what that means for how you should be eating during your cancer treatment. Spoiler alert: As ..read more

One year after sharing her story of being diagnosed with Stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer at the age of 36, Gigi is back with an update. Gigi recently shared with us the milestones she has accomplished since her diagnosis and how hope and her faith have been vital parts of her recovery. Read Gigi’s first blog post, Breast Cancer at 36: Conquering Fear with Hope and Community. A huge milestone achieved While Gigi was undergoing treatment for her breast cancer, she managed to attend college and eventually graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. Gigi shares how th ..read more

Some breast cancer patients compare their experience of diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care to a rollercoaster ride. For Trisha, who was visiting a local theme park on her 36th birthday in 2022, it was more of a whirlwind spin.  Trisha was riding the spinning teacups with her 8-year-old son, Ethan, when she got the call from her doctor: It was Stage 2B invasive ductal carcinoma with spread to the lymph nodes. Like the teacup ride she was on, Trisha’s head began spinning. “I could not believe what my doctor was telling me,” Trisha said. Trisha’s husband, Mike, remembers the same dizzy ..read more

March is Women’s History Month and is a time to reflect on and celebrate the women who have played and continue to play pivotal roles in American history and society. From leading advancements in science, the arts, societal change, medicine, and beyond, women have been vital forces in making America what it is today.  For a disease that affects 1 in 8 women in the United States, it is no surprise that women have been fundamental trailblazers in breast cancer study, research, support, and advocacy. This Women’s History Month, we celebrate these women and the many more who have contributed ..read more

By Lillie Shockney, RN., BS., MAS, HON-ONN-CG Palliative care can be a very valuable tool in an advanced cancer patient’s life. But palliative care is often misunderstood and even feared by patients, their caregivers, and their loved ones. Here is what you need to know when considering palliative care if you or a loved one has a serious illness, such as advanced-stage cancer. Palliative care explained Sometimes called “supportive care,” palliative care does not replace a patient’s primary treatment. Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on the management of symptoms or side ..read more

Q&A with Breast Health Expert, Lillie Shockney, RN., BS., MAS, HON-ONN-CG When you are deemed a “breast cancer survivor,” most people will expect you to feel pure joy, relief, and gratitude. However, these emotions are often drowned out with other feelings, including worry, anxiety, and sadness, which are all normal. While your physical health as a breast cancer survivor is clearly important, your emotional health also matters. To support your holistic wellness, two-time breast cancer survivor, former Director of the Johns Hopkins Breast Center, nurse, and NBCF medical expert Lillie Shockn ..read more