Together We Can Beat Breast Cancer

Every case of breast cancer is different, both on a molecular and emotional level. In some cases the cancer will be more invasive, in others less invasive. Nevertheless, during this arduous journey, things like losing your hair or getting a scar on your chest are all but negligible. What’s especially important is that you’re still alive and up to the challenge. Together we can beat breast cancer.

Science is full of surprises. Every day something new is discovered that can help us fight cancer. Treatments are becoming more and more precise, as in the case of immunotherapy.

Experts have discovered how to “train” our bodies so that an antibody can direct the immune system to fight malignant cells without damaging healthy tissue. These are huge and meaningful steps forward.

While it is true that medicine is becoming less invasive and more accurate every day, many women are still being diagnosed with breast cancer. According to data from the World Cancer Research Fund International, it is still the most common cancer in women worldwide.

With the death rate falling every year, it makes sense to focus more and more on the social and emotional impact this disease can have on the women beating breast cancer.

Each of these women has a name, a unique history, and a cancer with a specific biological profile. What connects all these women, however, is their inevitable fear. All these exceptional women are forced to embark on an incredibly arduous journey that no one is prepared for.

As a result, most of these women manage to beat breast cancer through a transformative journey. They become role models and our greatest inspiration. They represent true hope and show us that together we really can handle anything.

Breast cancer: I’m proud of my scars

Álvaro Rodríguez-Lescure, vice president of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), says breast cancer is the type of cancer most often discovered.

That said, it’s worth noting that there are also countries where lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women. Smoking is a serious problem in certain parts of the world, and we have to take that into account.

Despite the breast cancer survival rate being one of the highest, breast cancer patients still wonder, “Why me?”

The University of Western Australia conducted a 2014 survey of women’s perception of the causes of breast cancer. This showed that most participants associated breast cancer with genetic and lifestyle factors.

However, clinical studies show that breast cancer is related to an inherited genetic mutation in only 5 to 10% of cases. The specific mutation in the case of breast cancer is of the gene BRCA1 or BRCA2.

It is clear that there are factors that increase the risk of developing this disease. At the same time, however, there is still no way to completely prevent this disease.

The most important is early detection. Experts say that the chances of survival are greatest if the disease is detected early using mammograms.

One woman, one story

One of the major milestones in oncology was the discovery that breast cancer is heterogeneous. Each specific subtype requires a different treatment.

As such, some women will have to undergo more invasive treatment than others, there are different cycles of chemotherapy and radiation, and different pharmacological treatments with Tamoxifen and other drugs.

Sometimes the woman diagnosed with this disease is very young. In other cases, she may even be pregnant. Many of these brave women are unwilling to allow cancer to hinder their careers. They put on their headscarves, go to their chemo appointments and try to live as normal a life as possible.

There are also women who want to be brave, but just don’t get the chance. Metastatic or recurring breast cancer does not always leave room for victory. Surely there will be periods of remission and moments of sudden improvement.

As a rule, however, a diagnosis of stage 4 cancer is usually not a good sign. The stories of women who have been told that their cancer has reached the fourth stage are more sensitive, more intense and more inspiring.

Beating breast cancer is a transformative journey that leaves scars

Breast cancer leaves multiple scars. Some of these scars are visible, while others you can neither see nor appreciate. We are not talking about the scars on the chest in this case. Instead, we’re talking about the scars that women beating breast cancer silently carry with them.

• Fear that the cancer will come back is quite common.
• After radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy and surgery , a woman’s libido often decreases.
• Many are forced to accept a new image, which requires professional and social support.
• Likewise, it is often the case that lymph nodes also need to be removed during surgery . This can have serious long-term consequences, such as lymphedema. Lymphedema is the accumulation of fluid at the site of surgery. In addition to fluid accumulation, the patient may also suffer from inflammation, pain and limited mobility. This can make simple tasks like brushing her hair very difficult.

We must understand that the moment a woman physically beats breast cancer does not mark the end of her journey. The transformation continues. Women with breast cancer must overcome their fears and deal with the side effects.

Moreover, they not only have to take care of themselves, but also the people around them. They may even manage to care for women who are in the same situation as them.

Together we can beat breast cancer. Breast cancer changes your life. However, your life does not end. If you have so much left to live for, your scars will make you stronger.