Committee Seeks to Elevate Voices, Meet Needs of People Living with MBC
With a mission to elevate the diverse voices and perspectives of the metastatic breast cancer (MBC) community, Susan G. Komen® has launched a new MBC Steering Committee.
With a mission to elevate the diverse voices and perspectives of the metastatic breast cancer (MBC) community, Susan G. Komen® has launched a new MBC Steering Committee.
Aleta and Alicia are identical twins. They’ve always done everything together – but going through breast cancer at the same time is something neither of them ever expected. And now that they’re finished with treatment, the twins are ready to advocate on behalf of others with breast cancer.
Knowing your family’s medical history can be a vital tool in understanding and managing your health, particularly when it comes to breast cancer. A strong family history of the disease can increase your risk, making it essential to know your blood relative’s experiences. For Lori, knowing her family history made her extremely vigilant about her […]
Like most women in her family, Lee has dense breasts, so it wasn’t unusual for her to get a call back for additional testing after her yearly mammogram. In June 2023, that additional testing led to a breast caner diagnosis. “The diagnosis was a shock,” she said. “There’s no history of cancer in my family.”
Claudia’s breast cancer diagnosis came as a shock. She was 37, had no symptoms or signs and did not have a family history. She also learned she had the BRCA2 gene mutation. “You get really educated really quickly,” she said.
In 2012, Stasi Trout’s world was shaken when she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. Following her treatment, she registered for her local Race for the Cure® in Columbus, Ohio, and her team has raised more than $80,000 to support Komen’s work to end breast cancer.
Helen was helping care for her grandchildren when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. While her treatment costs were covered under Medicaid, Helen had other bills she needed help with. “I worried about my electricity being turned off,” she said. That’s when she turned to Komen’s Financial Assistance Program for help.
LaShae was working on her Ph.D. in public health, focused on cancer prevention research, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. “My journey has taught me the value of advocacy and support for young adults with cancer,” said LaShae. “I am committed to helping others navigate their journeys through similar challenges.”
During treatment for breast cancer, Colleen had to take time off from work. While Medicaid covered her treatment costs, Colleen had other bills to pay. She applied for help through Komen’s Financial Assistance Program. “Komen’s help took a huge weight off of me while recovering from surgery,” she said. “I was able to focus on taking care of myself.”
For breast cancer researchers, one of the biggest goals of a clinical trial is to address the unmet needs of people living with advanced breast cancer. Advanced breast cancer is difficult to cure or control with treatment. The cancer may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body, i.e. bones, lungs, brain, or liver. Patients with advanced breast cancer need more treatment options.
In this episode of Breast Cancer Breakthroughs, we speak with Komen grantees Dr. Tarah Ballinger, medical oncologist at Indiana University School of Medicine, and Dr. Pedram Razavi, medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, about the biggest highlights from the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting and what they could mean for patients.
Navigating a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment can bring a wide range of emotions. The physical and mental toll is often overwhelming, and it can be difficult to find moments of peace and positivity. However, through these challenges, there are countless stories of resilience, hope and faith that inspire.