Navigating the Challenges of Breast Cancer With a Strong Support System

In part one of CURE’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month webinar series on sharing stories, we partnered with SHARE Cancer Support to delve into the personal experiences of breast cancer survivors and how they navigated the challenges with strong support systems and a focus on their mental health.

In particular, we spoke with Megan-Claire Chase, Breast Cancer Program Director, and Karen Adams, Breast Cancer Patient Support Manager, both of whom are from SHARE Cancer Support, to learn more about their experiences with cancer, the importance of a strong support system and overcoming challenges faced at diagnosis, during and after treatment, and in survivorship.

Summary:

0:41 — Personal Accounts From Patients With Breast Cancer

• Megan-Claire Chase shared her experience with stage 2 invasive lobular breast cancer, a disease she said she “always knew” she would get based on her family history, even though she expected it to be ovarian or cervical cancer.
• Karen Adams also spoke about her diagnosis of stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma, for which she was treated with six rounds of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy because she said, “I’m not doing this again.”

6:34 — The Importance of a Support System

• Chase had to remind herself that it was OK to ask for help after receiving her diagnosis, even when she was caring for her mother who has a rare blood cancer.
• Adams added that her husband, mother and church family were there for her throughout her journey, but she found it difficult since she had two young daughters who she could not help as much during treatment.

12:22 — Challenges Throughout Breast Cancer

• The demands of a full-time job while undergoing cancer treatment was a challenge that Chase faced, which she said was made more difficult with the effects of chemo brain and other side effects.
• The feeling of helplessness was devastating, as Adams described it, all while feeling that everything was falling apart.

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