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Breast cancer survivors share their top 25 things they wish people would have told them...

1.

We cry, we all have cried, but we laugh too!

2.

With new treatments, you are not sick all the time! You can work and carry on a normal life—you just have to
rest more. 

3.

Listen to your body.  When you’re tired, stop and rest. When you are feeling okay, follow your usual routine. It will make the time pass faster and make you healthier both physically and mentally.

4.

Eat several small meals a day. It keeps your strength up and manages nausea, if you have any. 

5.

Keep a journal of daily visits, meals brought by, gifts, cards, etc. Also write down how you are feeling. It becomes your story, and it is good to look back on your journey.

 

 

6.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.  People are willing to offer, but often don’t know how to approach you. 

7. 

When people offer to help, believe them.  They get as much from helping you as you do. It fills two buckets at the same time!

8. 

So many “angels” come into your life—and they come in many ways.

9. 

Have someone accompany you to all your appointments. It is hard to hear/understand OR
think about everything the doctor is saying when you have so many things going through your mind. Four ears are always better than two.

10. 

be proactive and ask questions about your treatment and your doctors

 

11. 

Keep a list of questions as you think of them between treatments so you can ask the doctor at your next appointment.

12. 

If you are sick or hurting, don't suffer in silence...tell your doctors.

13. 

It's okay—and kind of nice—to not wear a wig if you’re not comfortable with it. You look glamorous with your hats and scarves, and cute with your bald head!

14. 

You will learn that the hair on your head is there for more than looks – it helps your body retain heat. You will probably want to wear a turban to keep your head warm at night and on colder days.
 

15. 

If you are having chemo and expect to lose your hair, cut it short. It is fun to have a new hair style, and it makes it easier when you start losing hair.

 

16. 

Healing is a long process and unique to each person. Don't compare yourself to others.

17. 

Practice gratitude during your recovery. Every day will not be filled with sunshine. Cancer doesn't define who you are!

18. 

Buying the wig early helps match color/style to real hair. or If you want to, get a wig that is very different than your hair. It’s your opportunity to try new things!

19. 

A support system makes things easier. join a support group - you'll form new friendships.

20. 

Get your wig trimmed by your hairstylist or someone with experience with wigs.

 

21. 

Chemo brain is real!

22. 

Not having hair during the treatments allows more time to relax and take care of yourself. Think how much time you save without having to fix your hair!

23. 

If you are having reconstruction and nipple/areola tattooing, take a picture of your breasts before surgery.  That will help you see colors better when you do the tattooing.

24. 

Contact Pink Alliance—we are here to help.

25. 

Talk about your diagnosis. You may save another life.

 
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EARLY DETECTION IS THE KEY
TO SURVIVING BREAST CANCER

One out of every 8 women [~12%] will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime.  In 2025, an estimated 316,950 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and an additional 59,080 new cases of non-invasive [in situ] breast cancer will be diagnosed.

Chances are, you know at least one person who has been personally affected by breast cancer.

There is HOPE. When early detection, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. There are currently over
4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

Take a minute to schedule your mammogram today.

 

Baylor Scott & White Health

700 Scott and White Drive
College Station, TX
979.207.3049

bswhealth.com

 

St. Joseph Health Breast Cancer Care Center

St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital
2700 East 29th Street, Suite 125
Bryan, TX
979.776.3777

stjoseph.stlukeshealth.org

 

St. Joseph Health College Station Emergency Center

4411 Hwy 6
College Station, TX
979.314.5906

stjoseph.stlukeshealth.org

St. Joseph Health Diagnostic Imaging

2722 Osler Blvd.
Bryan, TX
979.776.5999

stjoseph.stlukeshealth.org

 

breast diagnostic center at St. Joseph Health - college station

1602 Rock Prairie Road, Suite 3250
College Station, TX
979.776.5999

St. Joseph Health - Breast Diagnostic Center

 THE BREAST AND IMAGING CENTER - Brazos Valley Women’s Center

Medical Plaza West - 1602 Rock Prairie Road West, Suite 220
College Station, TX
979.776.5602

 

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FINANCIAL NEED/
LOW-COST MAMMOGRAMS

Call your local hospital. Ask to speak to a social worker, patient navigator, or nurse navigator.  
This person will be the one who knows about the availability of free or low-cost cancer screenings in your area.

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INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES

FREE PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE THROUGH PINK ALLIANce

 
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Free breast cancer support guide book - The Silver Lining Companion Guide: A Supportive and Insightful Guide to Breast Cancer is available free to all breast cancer patients, thanks to the generosity of Allstate. The Silver Lining Companion Guide [available in English and Spanish] provides practical and supportive resource to help everyone impacted by a breast cancer diagnosis. Author Hollye Jacobs, a nurse and breast cancer survivor, offers practical, realistic and hopeful advice that helped her from the time of her diagnosis throughout treatments and into recovery. Hollye Jacob was the guest speaker at the October 2014 Surviving & Thriving Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon.

To obtain a book, email patriciagerling@gmail.com

 
 
 
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Shopping Resources

LOCAL/REGIONAL BUSINESSES

The following businesses and organizations were provided by former breast cancer patients and cancer survivors as possible resources for purchasing wigs, intimate apparel following a lumpectomy or mastectomy, lymphedema supplies and other cancer-related resources.

PROSTHESES/BRAS/INTIMATE APPAREL 

P&H Services

11901 West Parmer Lane, Suite 210
Cedar Park, TX 78613
512.986.6291

phservnet.com

 

 

Appearances (located in the Mays Building at M.D. Anderson)

1220 Holcombe Blvd (at Bertner)
(Mays Clinic, Floor 2, near Elevator T, ACB2.1502)
Houston, TX
713.563.8200

mdanderson.org

 

 

Petticoat Fair

7739 Northcross Drive, Suite M
Austin, TX
512.454.2900

petticoatfair.com

 

 

Second Silhouette - Medical Center

5215 Kirby Drive, Suite B
Houston, TX
713.529.3733

houstonbreastcare.com

LYMPHEDEMA SUPPLIES  
(COMPRESSION SOCKS, SLEEVES, AND GARMENTS)

Medi care Equipment Specialists, Inc.

2308 East Villa Maria
Bryan, TX
979.776.3776

medi-careequipment.com

 

P&H Services

11901 West Parmer Lane, Suite 210
Cedar Park, Texas 78613
979.704.6150

phservnet.com

 

Second Silhouette - Medical Center

2331 University Blvd.
Houston, TX
713.529.3733

houstonbreastcare.com

 WIGS

Morgan Fitzgerald’s

3800 South Texas Avenue
Bryan, TX  77802
979.268.0608

fitzyou.com

 

TLC Cancer Care Catalog

(through the American Cancer Society)
tlcdirect.org  

tlcdirect.org  

TURBANS, SCARVES AND HATS

TLC Cancer Care Catalog

(through the American Cancer Society)
tlcdirect.org  

tlcdirect.org
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