- By Eve Mart
- Posted February 16, 2017
The Ebbs and Flows of Sexuality After Having Cancer
I’ve put off discussing this topic because I didn’t know how or where to start. But two days after Valentine’s Day or otherwise, it’s relevant. I want to come from a place of positivity, but truthfully, I can’t seem to get there right now. It was more than 8 years ago that I went through treatment for early stage breast cancer, which…
- By Cynthia Rigali Lund
- Posted February 2, 2017
Additional Healing Methods to Fight Cancer: Your Local Community Center
Cancer is an equal opportunity disease: It affects people regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic background or race. One day, you may be walking along, seemingly healthy as a horse and the next day—you’re diagnosed with cancer. Your outlook may be bleak; it might be optimistic. Either way, as the person diagnosed, it’s a feeling of being…
- By Tiana Adams, PA-C, MBA
- Posted January 26, 2017
There's Nothing Like The New Year To Take Charge Of Your Health
What better time than now to take charge of your health? This time of year can be very busy for many people, but it’s also a great opportunity to start the year out right by seeing your doctor and scheduling an annual mammogram. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women at average risk for breast cancer who are 50-74…
- By Theresa Smith
- Posted January 19, 2017
So My DNA Is Messed Up...What Do I Do Next?
Editor’s Note: At a time when we might consider the year ahead, we thought it helpful to re-post this entry from Theresa Smith, patient advocate, who offered her "next steps" after learning at age 45 that she carried a BRCA2 mutation. Sharing the news about my genetic test results with my immediate family was tough. I'll offer some…
- By Aaron Schmidt
- Posted January 12, 2017
How Can You Use Social Media To Find Support And Resources
Editor's Note: At this time of reflection as we begin the new year, we are re-posting this piece by an expert in digital media/communications to offer you guidance when navigating social media during a journey with cancer or other health issue. Today, hectic work schedules and other increasing demands on everyone’s time mean we are…
- By Georgia Hurst
- Posted January 5, 2017
Overcoming My Death Anxiety Related To Lynch Syndrome
The new year leaves me contemplating where I am now, and where I have been to get here. When I discovered I had Lynch syndrome more than five years ago, I was absolutely horrified and developed death anxiety. Every single aspect of my life became magnified. I could not help but feel as though a ticking time bomb had been strapped to my back –…
- By Bill Rotter
- Posted December 29, 2016
Let's Not Forget The Cancer Caregivers
Having been diagnosed as a male with breast cancer almost three years ago to the day, I often reflect on how that diagnosis has changed my life forever. There was an immediate emotional impact that I felt that day, one I will never forget. I am quite sure that unless you have experienced the cancer journey, its many steps along the way are difficult…
- By Tameron Harvell, MSN, RN, FNP-BC
- Posted December 22, 2016
You're Not To Blame
Editor’s Note: We are re-posting this entry by Tameron Harvell, a registered nurse practitioner, to raise the profile of “survivor’s guilt” – an issue that can be particularly challenging during the holidays. You’ve just received your cancer genetic testing results and no mutation was found! What a relief to know…
- By Eve Mart
- Posted December 15, 2016
Not Just For the Holidays: Thoughtful Gifts for Breast Cancer Patients
This past year I had the honor of being selected as a Miami “Model of Courage” (MOC) for the Ford Warriors in Pink (WIP) campaign. As their mission statement says, “Ford Warriors in Pink is dedicated to helping those touched by breast cancer,through actions that support, inspire and empower patients, survivors and co-survivors throughout…
- By Dr. Dennis J Ahnen
- Posted December 8, 2016
Here’s To Our Families
I am, appropriately, finishing this post on Family Health History Day (the fourth Thursday in November, formerly known as Thanksgiving in the U.S.). The holidays are traditionally a time to get together with family, and what better time to focus on the importance of the health history? In this spirit, I thought we could focus on how a discussion…