Once breast cancer patients achieve remission, they become survivors in pursuit of recovery and reclaiming their lives. During this time, reassuring statements can help support healing and empowerment.
At New Hope Unlimited, we honor the courage and strength of every man or woman confronting breast cancer, not just during Breast Cancer Awareness Month but every single day. We believe that positive affirmations and supportive language from family, friends, and healthcare providers can uplift spirits and provide the emotional sustenance needed to move forward.
If you are a breast cancer survivor, we wrote this article to motivate you to embrace the power of positive thinking and its impact on survivorship. If you are a loved one, caregiver, or healthcare professional, remember that your words can serve either as a beacon of hope and strength or as a weapon of devastation and suicidal ideation. Read on to manifest positivity and healing.
What Breast Cancer Survivors Need to Know and Hear
Dear Breast Cancer Survivors, here are ten things you should know today and every day.
1. You are not alone.
The path to healing and recovery is rarely walked in solitude. As per the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), you are one of the four million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Moreover, behind survivors, hopefully including yourself, are loved ones who offer inexhaustible support. These individuals — whether a family member, close friend, or caregiver — accompany survivors to doctor’s appointments, prepare meals, clean, carpool, and babysit to ensure you can focus on your health. This collective effort forms a network of care, demonstrating that no one has to face breast cancer alone. Their acts of kindness, no matter how small, can contribute to your emotional and physical well-being.
Whether it’s that one friend who spends hours by your hospital bed, a family member who takes over household chores, or a caregiver who offers a shoulder to lean on, each gesture reinforces the message of solidarity and love. If you’re a lucky survivor with such people in your life, take a moment to express gratitude to everyone who has stood by your side throughout your treatment and recovery. Their support has been and will be an invaluable part of your journey.
In addition, if you ever feel discouraged or isolated, remember that there’s a vast community of survivors who have faced similar challenges. Watching or reading inspiring survivor stories can provide a sense of connection and hope. These stories from men and women, like Jim Colvins and Cindy Kicklighter, who have walked in your shoes can remind you that you are part of a larger, compassionate community that understands your struggles and celebrates your victories. You can also look for the right cancer support group for you to find encouragement to move forward.
2. Life after remission is not the same, and that’s okay.
Cati Diamond Stone, breast cancer survivor and vice president of community health at Susan G. Komen, once said, “People think it’s ‘life as usual’ after breast cancer. But it’s not.” You’re not the same person you were before your breast cancer diagnosis, and that’s not always a bad thing.
From being healthy to becoming a breast cancer patient and now a survivor, your outlook on life is likely to shift. You may have a greater appreciation for smaller, everyday joys like welcoming a new day or savoring the comfort of sleeping in clean sheets. Such simple pleasures, which you might have taken for granted before your diagnosis, now hold deeper meaning and significance.
On the other hand, life after remission can also be a rollercoaster of emotions, with some days feeling more challenging than others. It’s normal to experience fluctuations in mood and energy levels. The physical toll of treatment with the emotional weight of having faced a life-threatening illness can lead to days where you feel overwhelmed or fatigued. Lingering side effects, such as fatigue, pain, or anxiety, can also make tough days tougher. It’s important to acknowledge these feelings and understand that healing is a gradual process with its own unique rhythm.
Don’t feel pressured to return where you left off. It would help if you also made peace with the possibility of never being the person you were before breast cancer. Your body is different, what once was important to you may not be anymore, and it might be harder to connect with people. But eventually, you will find and adapt to a “new normal.” You will heal emotionally and physically, gain inner and outer strength, and feel more like your new self.
Read Weathering the Emotional Storm of Breast Cancer to learn how to cope with this disease.
3. That lingering fear of cancer coming back is normal.
It’s common to worry about recurrence. These fears are a natural response to the trauma and uncertainty experienced during your initial diagnosis and treatment. To mitigate these concerns, maintain regular follow-up appointments with your doctor. Consistent medical check-ups can help detect signs of breast cancer recurrence and provide peace of mind.
Further reading: How Breast Cancer Survivors Can Prevent Recurrence
4. You don’t need to keep adjusting your lifestyle based on hearsay.
As a breast cancer survivor, you might feel bombarded with advice and myths about preventing recurrence. It’s natural to want to do everything possible to prevent recurrence, but don’t listen to hearsay and misconceptions. Scientific evidence does not support many of the rumors circulating in the media.
For example, no credible evidence links breast cancer recurrence to exposure to radiation from microwaves, wearing underwire bras, drinking caffeine, or consuming soy products. These unproven cancer-causing myths can cause unnecessary stress and lead to needless lifestyle changes.
Instead of following baseless claims, trust your doctor’s recommendations, which can include maintaining a nutritious diet, avoiding smoking, staying physically active, and limiting alcohol consumption — a.k.a. factors that have more substantial backing in scientific research. In addition, only rely on evidence-based guidelines, such as these Breast Cancer Myths You Need to Stop Believing and Anti-Panic Guide to Approaching News About Cancer Causes. Doing so allows you to live your life without the burden of unfounded fears.
5. Making healthy choices may reduce the risk of recurrence.
Of course, focusing on evidence-based practices can support your long-term health. Maintaining a diet rich in fruits, leafy greens, whole grains, and lean proteins provides essential nutrients and bolsters your immune system. If you get physical activity equal to brisk walking for 30 minutes daily, you have a 3 percent reduced risk of breast cancer than those who are not active. And the list of benefits goes on; refer to our article, 13 Healthy Living Strategies for Breast Cancer Prevention, to know more about which practices to adopt.
6. It’s okay to ask for help.
Like breast cancer, survivorship can bring a whirlwind of emotions. Managing negative feelings, along with practical concerns such as finances, insurance, and finding necessary services, can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, numerous breast cancer organizations offer support, guidance, and resources for patients and survivors. Seeking professional counseling services, emotional support groups, or financial assistance from these resources can ease your burden and make the journey less daunting.
Equally important is the support from your loved ones. There’s nothing wrong with leaning on family and friends for help. Sharing your struggles and letting others assist you can strengthen your support network and provide much-needed relief. As one fellow survivor wisely shared, “I learned that if I took a hand offered to me, there was no telling what gifts I would receive.”
7. Don’t smoke–you’re a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for.
If you were strong enough to beat breast cancer, you can overcome stress without smoking, too.
Surviving breast cancer is like getting a second chance at life. As a breast cancer survivor, you’re aware of your own increased risk for recurrence and chronic health conditions. It would be best to start taking better care of yourself moving forward. Don’t mimic the cancer survivors who continued to smoke after their diagnosis, as it can raise the risk of recurrence and death. To enhance the length and quality of your life, you need to embrace a tobacco-free life.
If stress is the reason you have urges to light a stick of cigarette, we encourage you to try yoga, pilates, and twenty other scientifically-proven ways to relieve stress.
8. Hats off to you for staying informed.
Ignorance is bliss on occasion, as knowing too much can be an overwhelming cause of distress. However, when it comes to cancer, knowledge is power. By being well-informed about your diagnosis, treatment options, and follow-up care, you can feel more in control of your life. Hence, the next time you visit your physician, consider asking some questions.
According to the National Cancer Institute, you should ask your doctor the following questions about breast cancer survivorship:
- How high is the possibility of my cancer returning?
- What kind of follow-up care should I expect?
- How long will it take for me to feel better and more like myself again?
- Do I need further tests after treatment? How often will I have the tests?
- Should I expect long-term health issues as a result of my breast cancer and its treatment? What are they?
- What records do I need to keep regarding my treatment?
- What steps should I take to be as healthy as possible?
- What symptoms should I observe and tell you about?
- Which medical specialist(s) should I see for my follow-up care? How often?
- Can you suggest a breast cancer support group that might help me?
9. It’s okay to consider breast reconstruction.
Considering breast reconstruction after breast cancer is a valid and personal choice. For many survivors, restoring the shape and overall look of the breast has helped to boost body image and self-confidence.
Different options are available, including implants and autologous tissue reconstruction, where surgeons use tissue from another part of the body to rebuild the breast. Discuss these options with your healthcare team to find the best fit for your needs and preferences.
Keep in mind that this decision involves emotional and psychological factors. Some women feel a sense of wholeness and normalcy following reconstruction, whereas others feel content and empowered without reconstruction. Take the time you need to gather information and make the choice that supports your physical and emotional wellness. Your decision should reflect what makes you feel confident and whole.
10. Every day is a chance to create a new memory and to love a little more.
Life’s unpredictability, especially after cancer, makes every day precious. Make the most of each day by creating memories and loving deeply. Embrace each moment, whether it’s spending time with the people you love, pursuing a passion, or simply enjoying the beauty around you. Cherish the small joys and let them fill your heart with gratitude. Show kindness and affection to those around you, as these actions strengthen bonds and enrich lives. Remember, as a breast cancer survivor, every new day is a precious gift, an opportunity to create lasting memories and express love.
Inspiring Quotes for Breast Cancer Survivors
Below, we compiled a list of our favorite encouraging quotes, which aim to spark new hope and an optimistic outlook for survivors struggling with life after cancer. If you or a loved one would appreciate an uplifting quote, here are some of the best to bear in mind:
- “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'” — Eleanor Roosevelt
- “You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.” — Bob Marley
- “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.” — Vince Lombardi
- “Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.” – Samuel Smiles
- “When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds, and diamonds are made under pressure.” – Peter Marshall
- “Don’t give up. Every day is worth it.” – Hashmat Effendi
- “When people say I can’t or I mustn’t, I always say I can and I will.” – Oscar De La Hoya
- “God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, or sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.” – Unknown
- “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” — Mahatma Gandhi
- “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift — that’s why it’s called ‘the present’.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
- “Let nothing trouble you, let nothing frighten you. All things are passing.” – St. Teresa of Avila
What Not to Say to a Breast Cancer Survivor
Remember, “Words cut deeper than knives. A knife can be pulled out, words are embedded into our souls.” – William Chapman
For family, friends, caregivers, and anyone around a cancer survivor, remember that thoughtless words can wound as deeply as a sword. When supporting a survivor, we must choose our words with sensitivity and empathy, as certain statements can cause pain or discomfort. Here are some things to avoid saying to a breast cancer survivor.
“You don’t even look sick.”
While this may seem like a compliment, it can undermine the survivor’s experience and struggle. It’s important to acknowledge their journey without focusing solely on their appearance. Instead, consider saying, “I’m so glad to see you today.”
“Everything happens for a reason.”
Although intended to provide comfort, this phrase can feel dismissive of the survivor’s pain and struggle. It would be more helpful to acknowledge their feelings and support them by saying, “I’m here for you, no matter what.”
“You didn’t have it as bad as…”
Comparing journeys can sometimes feel invalidating. Instead of talking about someone else’s story, ask, “How are you feeling today?” to focus on the journey of the survivor in front of you.
“Let me know if you need anything.”
While well-intentioned, this offer is quite vague. Most survivors find it difficult to ask for help, even when they really need it. Instead, offer specific assistance such as, “Can I send you texts just to check in?”, “When’s your next doctor’s appointment? I’d love to accompany you,” or “Let’s have dinner and forget about all this for a while.”
Takeaway
Survivors often experience a mix of triumphs and tribulations, and during these times, the power of reassuring words can provide the comfort and encouragement they need to keep fighting. By understanding how words can affect others, we can help shape an environment where survivors feel valued, supported, and empowered to embrace life after cancer.
Alternative Breast Cancer Treatment Options at New Hope Unlimited
New Hope Unlimited has been providing alternative treatment options and information on how to manage breast cancer for more than 20 years. Our mission is to end all breast cancer types forever, and every member of our team is committed to fulfilling that goal.
If you or a loved one has breast cancer, our non-invasive yet powerful therapies may address the root of your disease. Contact us now at 480-666-1403 to schedule a consultation.
