top of page
SBC Logo 200 px x 200 px.png
Accessibility Tools

Upcoming
events

The Emotional and Mental Side of Breast Cancer

Writer's picture: Surviving Breast CancerSurviving Breast Cancer

Last week I shared a personal post in our newsletter where I called out the person I was before cancer, and who I have become after cancer. The post was short, but basically, even 3 years after my initial diagnosis, I am still processing and coming to terms with my body. There is an important factor here we don't often talk about and that is mental health. When you hear the words you have cancer, yes, you know you are going to go through physical hell but can we talk about the mental turmoil we experience?


You all responded to the call:

Andrea spent a year trying to hold on to who she was pre diagnosis and surgery. She was leaner and more muscular. Then her lungs partially collapsed and she just couldn’t. Aromatase inhibitors have changed how her body works.


Having zero access to estrogen means making muscle and maintaining it is hard. All Andrea knows is that she has to move significantly EVERY day for a number of reasons:


Andrea states:

Breast Cancer Survivor Andrea Magni
  • My body needs the exercise to help maintain my mood. Exercise is the only natural mood stabilizer and it only works if it’s consistent and over time.


  • My joints benefit from daily movement.


  • Finding novel ways to move is fun, whether it’s a Zumba or burlesque class.


  • It helps maintain a steady weight especially when I do weight lifting.


  • Meditation is also important. Even 10 minutes of mindfulness is important.




She gives herself goals like training for a half marathon, or to improve her 1 mile swim time. Having goals keeps us focused on what’s important. For her its always the journey and not just the day of a race.


Andrea, what's your one great piece of advice for others going through breast cancer right now?