Perspectives on Breast Cancer
Sally
Metastatic breast cancer thriver
“I knew that I didn't want cancer to define me. I'm still gonna live my life by making choices that let me show up as well as I could.”
Transcript Available
Lisa
Metastatic breast cancer thriver
“That's devastating for any parent to hear that you have cancer. Thinking that, ‘Oh my goodness, I might not live to see them grow up.’”
Transcript Available
Shirley
Breast cancer survivor
“I had two therapists that I connected with on a regular basis, and so I was really careful about when and how I was grieving and thinking through and processing all of this.”
Transcript Available
Stephanie
Metastatic breast cancer thriver
“They teach you about the different chemos that you're going to be receiving ... but the emotional part, the financial part, I didn't get any of that. I had to find all that stuff out on my own.”
Transcript Available
Lisa
Metastatic breast cancer thriver
“You really start to have hope. And that takes over all of the fear that you have.”
Transcript Available
Stephanie
Metastatic breast cancer thriver
“At 62 years old, I am finally learning that I can put myself first. A late learner, I am, but I'm learning.”
Transcript Available
Dee
Breast cancer survivor
“Letting go of control in my life is something I still struggle with. I had to start to think about me and my healing. I had to learn how to say I need help.”
Transcript Available
Lisa
Metastatic breast cancer thriver
“I've never hidden the things that were going on with my cancer. I felt like it was necessary for them to know. I do worry that my openness has caused them to be fearful.”
Transcript Available
Shirley
Breast cancer survivor
“I think it's important to know that there are people that have taken this journey before you. To be there and be welcomed in by others who say, ‘Welcome to the club that no one wants to be a part of.’”
Transcript Available
Brianna
Breast cancer previvor
“Being able to know your options, know what's available to you, because of another person, is everything. I wouldn't be here today without that.”
Transcript Available
Brianna
Breast cancer previvor
“I think it took me about a full month to look at myself in the mirror. I would avoid mirrors. Like going to the bathroom, going to shower. You know, I consciously decided not to look at myself.”
Transcript Available
Shirley
Breast cancer survivor
“I'm here. I'm not in pain. It doesn't stop me from doing what I want to do. I always have to keep that perspective.”
Transcript Available
Stephanie
Metastatic breast cancer thriver
“I didn't know anybody that had metastatic breast cancer, much less another Black person that had it.”
Transcript Available
Stephanie
Metastatic breast cancer thriver
“Clinical trials are extremely important to metastatic breast cancer patients. That is something I didn't even know about when I was diagnosed.”
Transcript Available
Dee
Breast cancer survivor
“Cancer, it just took away the intimacy that we shared with each other. ... There is no information out there about how to navigate intimacy. My oncologist could not tell us anything.”
Transcript Available
Renu
Breast cancer survivor
“What we need to hear is, ‘Yes, you're doing this well, but we are here to support you. And if you ever feel down, I'm here for you.’ I feel like it's okay to take help.”
Transcript Available
Meet Our Experts
Lisa D. Curcio, MD, FACS
Medical Reviewer
Lisa Curcio, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon and a fellowship-trained surgical oncologist. She is currently the medical director of breast surgery at Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, New York. Dr. Curcio attended George Washington University Medical School in Washington, D.C., where she also completed a residency in general surgery. She was invited to fellowship training in cancer surgery at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California. She was the recipient of the competitive U.S. Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program. During her military commitment, Dr. Curcio served in the military as chief surgical oncologist at Keesler Medical Center in Biloxi, Mississippi.
From 2003 to 2004, she served as program director for Susan G. Komen in Orange County and remains involved with Komen outreach efforts. She was on the board of Kids Konnected, a nonprofit that helps children of cancer patients deal with the emotional fallout of a cancer diagnosis. Currently, she is on the board at Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing support services for people affected by breast cancer in New York's Hudson Valley. Dr. Curcio also has a strong background in breast cancer research, having contributed to dozens of peer-reviewed articles. She is currently a member of the Alpha Investigational Review Board.
Her practice includes benign and malignant breast diagnoses. Dr. Curcio was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 37. Although her fellowship training was in surgical oncology, this experience motivated her to provide compassionate, high level breast care and to focus on breast surgery.
Dr. Curcio is passionate about treating the patient and individualizing the care plan to their specific needs. Dr. Curcio strongly believes that cancer care must include lifestyle changes to focus on healthier habits to reduce future events. Her practice also focuses on breast cancer risk reduction, education, and access to genetic testing for patients with a family history of breast cancer.
From 2003 to 2004, she served as program director for Susan G. Komen in Orange County and remains involved with Komen outreach efforts. She was on the board of Kids Konnected, a nonprofit that helps children of cancer patients deal with the emotional fallout of a cancer diagnosis. Currently, she is on the board at Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing support services for people affected by breast cancer in New York's Hudson Valley. Dr. Curcio also has a strong background in breast cancer research, having contributed to dozens of peer-reviewed articles. She is currently a member of the Alpha Investigational Review Board.
Her practice includes benign and malignant breast diagnoses. Dr. Curcio was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 37. Although her fellowship training was in surgical oncology, this experience motivated her to provide compassionate, high level breast care and to focus on breast surgery.
Dr. Curcio is passionate about treating the patient and individualizing the care plan to their specific needs. Dr. Curcio strongly believes that cancer care must include lifestyle changes to focus on healthier habits to reduce future events. Her practice also focuses on breast cancer risk reduction, education, and access to genetic testing for patients with a family history of breast cancer.
Jessica Hicks
Author
Jessica Hicks is a writer, editor, and published research author with a background that spans traditional journalism, health tech, and the nonprofit sector. She has experience producing multimedia content for a range of behavioral change, mental health, and lifestyle products and platforms.
As Senior Editor for The Well, Everyday Health’s Content Studio and Innovation Lab, Jessica spends her day to day creating and managing high-quality, science-backed content that helps individuals live their happiest, healthiest lives.
Jessica studied journalism, sociology, and anthropology at Lehigh University. In her free time, you’ll find her figure skating, needlepointing, and organizing meetings for her book club.