By Jill Rackham “You have oestrogen-positive breast cancer,” the sympathetically eyed consultant said. “Your three tumours have been fuelled by oestrogen so we need to do all we can to stop any spread.” I was aged forty-three so needed a monthly injection to send my ovaries to sleep. It was a huge needle and painful but this was the plan I had to keep. Then came medication to reduce the oestrogen in my body even more. This was all new to me, I was in a clinical menopause, something I hadn’t ever considered before. In time my ovaries were removed, so the monthly injection was not needed. Now I was in a surgical menopause, in abolishing you oestrogen - I’ve succeeded! But throughout all this my body was suffering so much more. The cancer had been taken but now it was time for menopausal symptoms galore. Hot flushes, joint pain, brain fog, dry skin to name but a few. Followed by itchy skin, hair thinning, fatigue, brittle nails and a feeling of not knowing what to do. For me the menopause happened all of a sudden instead of taking several years. It took time to get used to and accept my new normal, it did make me shed a few tears. Cancer treatments leading to an early menopause I never knew that would be. But here I am living and owning it and all that it entails for me. So well done ladies if a cancer diagnosis brought a medically induced menopause to your door. You are doing amazing - let’s all support each other to lessen the intensity a little more. Share your poetry: https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/submit-breast-cancer-story SurvivingBreastCancer.org Resources & Support: Podcast Weekly Meetups Free Events

Control your mind with the worry time technique. Schedule worry time daily: a therapeutic approach to reducing the time you spend worrying. SurvivingBreastCancer.org | By Lisa Kalner Williams As a breast cancer survivor, I rarely go a day without a worry or two. Or fifty. Or more. Here’s the tiniest slice of my worries this week as a node-positive survivor seven months out of active treatment: How will I survive this summer heat while layered in lymphedema compression garments? If I start Kisqali, will it give me lifelong side effects? Should I have had my treatment and care team at one of the big cancer centers in Boston? What’s that spot on my back? I’ve learned that when worry follows me around all day, it drains my already low energy (thanks, cancer treatments!) and takes my focus away from getting better and living my best life. If your mind is flooded with worries, consider scheduling worry time to keep these thoughts under control so you can enjoy the most out of survivorship. What is worry time? Worry time is a technique where you schedule a specific time to express your worries. Outside that window, you postpone anxious thoughts to their designated time. Worry time, also called worry postponement, has roots in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Instead of letting constant worries disrupt your day, CBT therapists suggest briefly acknowledging your thoughts. Then you write down your thoughts and choose to address them during your scheduled worry time. This trains your brain to regain control of your focus. Worry time is also similar to the “passengers on the bus” idea of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). In this model, the passengers on the bus represent your worries, and you’re the bus driver who controls the passengers’ actions. In ACT, you’re encouraged to tell your passengers to sit down because it’s not worry time – or, in bus speak, it’s not their stop yet. With this model, you’re not ignoring your worries, but you’re also not letting them steal your attention. If you’re into Keanu Reeves movies, imagine you’re him behind the wheel in Speed, keeping Dennis Hopper in check. How to build worry time in your busy schedule At first, you might think, “Another thing to put in my schedule?” You had a life before cancer. That was busy enough. Now, you’re adding blood draws, doctor visits, physical therapy appointments, and pharmacy runs to your day-to-day. But by sticking with a consistent worry time, you’ll be in a better mindset to handle all the extra things that have been thrown your way since your diagnosis. Here’s how to get started. Create a consistent block of time in your schedule. Start with a daily cadence of about 15 minutes. If any worries come to mind before your next worry time block, write those thoughts down in a physical notebook or a note-taking app. When it’s worry time, review the thoughts you’ve jotted down. For each thought, ask yourself, “Do I still have this worry?” If not, great! Cross it off your list. For any thought that remains, decide which of the following two buckets it belongs to. Is it: Something out of your control? Something you can solve? If the worry is out of your control, accept that fact and cross it off the list. If the worry is something you can solve, make an action plan to address it. At the end of the fifteen minutes, conclude with something grounding – stretches, deep breathing, or perhaps a meditation. If you still have worries that you weren’t able to address during this session, add them to the following worry time’s agenda. After all, you have other things to do, and you don’t want worries to take over your days. (That’s why you’ve set up worry time in the first place, right?) Ready to schedule your worries? Want to practice worry time with other people in the breast cancer community? Join SurvivingBreastCancer.org for an online Worry Time session on Tuesday, June 16 at 5:30 pm EDT! Read More: The Psychological Impact of Breast Cancer: Strategies for Coping What Is Lymphedema? Causes, Stages, and How to Live Comfortably Why a Second Opinion Matters for Breast Cancer Managing Fatigue During Breast Cancer Treatment SurvivingBreastCancer.org meditation library On the Podcast: Breast Cancer Conversations Breast Cancer Stopped My Life— Music and Meditation Helped Me Breathe Again Share your story, poetry, or art: https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/submit-breast-cancer-story SurvivingBreastCancer.org Resources & Support: Podcast Weekly Meetups Free Events

By Latanya Bispham-Robinson Yep, I called you a Survivor. Your treatment may not be over… In fact, you may be at the beginning of your journey… I still call you a Survivor. You’ve made progress. From the date of your diagnosis up to this very moment, you have made progress. You should be proud, you are fighting in your own unique way, you are a Survivor, a Warrior, a Champion. Oftentimes it’s hard to think of a victorious end when we feel like we haven't even started yet. But what if we did? What if we began planning the victory celebration at the start of the fight? I can imagine you must be thinking, “What is she talking about?!” Celebrating is probably not on your mind at present. And believe me, I totally get it! Nonetheless… What if instead of only focusing on the treatment, we envisage our victorious completion? What if we planned how we are going to celebrate completing surgery before we have the surgery? What if we planned how we are going to celebrate completing chemo before we start chemo? What if we planned how we are going to celebrate completing radiation before we start radiation? The mental part of the battle of cancer treatment can be intense, to put it mildly. From the onset of my diagnosis through surgery and chemo and even now, I often wonder: “When will this be OVER?!” When I completed chemo, oh my goodness… happy is an understatement. I felt so proud of myself, on a natural high. You did that, GIRL!!! I celebrated by taking myself on a mini shopping spree. It was the day after chemo and I was in the mall?! I couldn’t believe my energy level; it was on HIGH and I decided to go right along with it. I had a BALL! When I got tired, I would sit for a few minutes all the while smiling from ear to ear under my mask. It felt like I was having my own private party. I decided not to ring the bell until I completed both chemo and radiation. I knew I was going to celebrate, but I wondered how. I wondered if I would even have the energy to do anything this time. My oncology social worker, Samantha, told me about an organization called For 3 Sisters and their pink fire truck. For 3 Sisters was started in 2011 by retired Montgomery County, Maryland career firefighter Marshall Moneymaker and his wife Shannon after he lost three older sisters, Vicky, Penny and Valessa, to breast cancer. Samantha explained that Marshall and Shannon would come to the hospital with their big pink firetruck and drive me all the way home. I began to feel joyful in my heart…WOW, a pink firetruck will come pick ME up! I wanted that experience to be a part of my celebration! I knew I wanted that memory to be mine forever. Beauty for Ashes. I decided I would find a nice pink dress to mark the occasion! Here are some additional celebratory ideas you can consider: Have an intimate celebratory gathering with close family and/or close friend(s). When it is safe to do so, treat yourself to a celebratory spa day, manicure and/or pedicure. Choose a new color, not your norm, o mark the celebratory occasion. Take a weekend getaway in nature to celebrate; some place easy to get to and a short distance away. Take a gentle celebratory hike with a supportive friend and/or family member; bring a beverage to toast this special occasion. Have a picnic with fruit and beverages for toasting. When you’re up to it, have a meal at your favorite restaurant. Chew slowly and savor each bite. Don’t forget to toast this special occasion. I hope these ideas will help spark your imagination to create the most special celebration perfect for you. Do something that makes you happy. Please celebrate yourself. Please also remember to be kind to yourself, be patient with yourself and most of all love yourself through each part of your journey. I’m cheering for you and sending hugs!! Read More: Navigating Cancer and Treatments with Honesty and Humor Questions to Ask Your Doctor After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis After Your Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Planning Your Next Steps More Breast Cancer Stories from Our Community On the Podcast: Breast Cancer Conversations From Chemo to Curtain Calls, Radiation to Regattas: This Is Survivorship Share your story, poetry, or art: https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/submit-breast-cancer-story SurvivingBreastCancer.org Podcast Weekly Meetup Free Events

Every breast cancer donation gives hope. You can get involved and make an impactful and meaningful difference. Donate to breast cancer support programs. Lifestyle & Wellness Resources Programs Content Library Podcast Download the App Subscribe to the Newsletter Make a Gift More Build the Future of Breast Cancer Survivorship From diagnosis through long-term survivorship — and for those living with metastatic disease — SBC ensures access to credible education, AI-informed navigation tools, and year-round community support. Make a Donation Donate Now Become a Monthly Supporter Why Your Gift Matters Financial, Emotional, & Wellness Programming Your generosity ensures that individuals navigating breast cancer, from early-stage through metastatic disease, have access to trusted education, meaningful connection, and supportive wellness programming. Trusted Information & Educational Resources A breast cancer diagnosis brings more than medical challenges. Your gift enables us to provide over 400+ free support groups, integrative oncology–inspired classes, and community spaces designed to reduce stress and improve outcomes. Survivorship Programming & Tools Your contribution provides expert-led webinars, evidence-informed articles, podcasts, and tools that help individuals make informed decisions about their care meeting people where they are and supporting long-term survivorship, and quality of life. $50 $100 $250 By The Numbers Our Impact Read the Report 200,000+ Podcast Downlaods Educational content reaching thousands of listeners 8,000 People Serviced Through our 350+ virtual programs offered each year. 1 Million Website Interactions Engaging website visitors through AI driven technologies supporting education, information, and empowerment Monthly Giving Circle Monthly giving strengthens our ability to plan, innovate, and respond to emerging survivorship needs. Reliable funding allows SBC to scale responsibly toward our $1M national operating model in 2026 and beyond. Make a Donation More Ways To Give Legacy Giving Let's Talk Asset Based Giving Let's Connect By Check Checks can be made out to "SurvivingBreastCancer.org" and mailed to 5 Cedar Street Unit 1, Roxbury, MA 02119 Venmo Find us on Venmo at @SurvivingBreastCancerorg Stocks & Securities We accept Donor Advisor Funds, Stocks, and Securities. Contact Us

We provide free breast cancer events, programs, and webinars to support breast cancer patients and survivors. Explore our supportive community events today! Surviving Breast Cancer provides breast cancer events, support, and webinars at no cost to you! Whether you are looking to gain more knowledge on a particular topic or meet up with other breast cancer survivors, we have something for everyone. Supporting you, every step of the way Learn More and RSVP for Upcoming Events & Programs (Click here for Programs in Spanish) Multiple Dates Early Stage Breast Cancer Support Group | Thursday Night Thrivers Thu, Jun 04 Zoom More info RSVP Multiple Dates MBC Peer to Peer Support | Thursday Night Thrivers Meetup Thu, Jun 04 Virtual More info RSVP Multiple Dates Pilates for Breast Cancer Recovery Sat, Jun 06 Online Event More info RSVP Multiple Dates Breast Cancer Book Club – A Monthly Escape Into Stories, Connection, and Joy Sun, Jun 07 Zoom Meetings More info RSVP Multiple Dates Meditation Reflection The 8 Steps of Buddhism - A Path to Healing Mon, Jun 08 Online Event More info RSVP Multiple Dates Expressive Writing with Thomas Dooley Mon, Jun 08 Online Event More info RSVP Multiple Dates Yoga Stretching for DIEP Flap Tue, Jun 09 Online Event More info RSVP Multiple Dates Inflammatory Breast Cancer Support Group (IBC) Online Meetup Thu, Jun 11 Online Event More info RSVP Multiple Dates All Stages Breast Cancer Support Group | Thursday Night Thrivers Thu, Jun 11 Zoom More info RSVP Multiple Dates Reflective Writing for Metastatic Breast Cancer Fri, Jun 12 Online Event More info RSVP Multiple Dates Restorative Yoga: A Monthly Journey Into Calm, Comfort & Inner Healing Mon, Jun 15 Online Event More info RSVP Webinar: Working with MBC, Navigating Career, Identity & Life After Diagnosis Mon, Jun 15 Zoom More info RSVP Worry Time Session Tue, Jun 16 Online Event More info RSVP Multiple Dates The Caregiver Huddle Tue, Jun 16 Zoom More info RSVP Multiple Dates Forest Bathing: Mindful Nature Connection & Healing Wed, Jun 17 Virtual Event More info RSVP Webinar: From Voices to Data: What Our Breast Cancer Community Survey Reveals Wed, Jun 17 Zoom More info RSVP Multiple Dates Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Support Group with Nancy Gaulin, PsyD Thu, Jun 18 Zoom More info RSVP Multiple Dates Reiki Infused Meditation with Marie Mon, Jun 22 Online Event More info RSVP Load More Breast Cancer Events & Support Curated For You Upcoming Events June 2026 Today Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 31 1 10:00 AM Meditation Reflection The 8 Steps of Buddhism - A Path to Healing +1 more 2 10:00 AM SBC Well-Being Club: Finding Peace on the Buddha’s Eightfold Path +1 more 3 6:00 PM Guided Hypnosis for Breast Cancer Thrivers & Caregivers 4 7:00 PM Early Stage Breast Cancer Support Group | Thursday Night Thrivers +2 more 5 6 10:00 AM Pilates for Breast Cancer Recovery 7 11:00 AM Breast Cancer Book Club – A Monthly Escape Into Stories, Connection, and Joy +1 more 8 10:00 AM Meditation Reflection The 8 Steps of Buddhism - A Path to Healing +1 more 9 6:00 PM Yoga Stretching for DIEP Flap +1 more 10 11 7:00 PM Inflammatory Breast Cancer Support Group (IBC) Online Meetup +1 more 12 10:00 AM Reflective Writing for Metastatic Breast Cancer 13 14 15 10:00 AM Meditation Reflection The 8 Steps of Buddhism - A Path to Healing +2 more 16 5:30 PM Worry Time Session +1 more 17 4:00 PM Forest Bathing: Mindful Nature Connection & Healing +1 more 18 7:00 PM Early Stage Breast Cancer Support Group | Thursday Night Thrivers +2 more 19 20 21 22 10:00 AM Meditation Reflection The 8 Steps of Buddhism - A Path to Healing +1 more 23 7:00 PM Tai Chi & Qi Gong for Breast Cancer Thrivers +1 more 24 6:00 PM Stitch & Share: A Mindful Crochet Gathering 25 7:00 PM All Stages Breast Cancer Support Group | Thursday Night Thrivers 26 27 10:00 AM Pilates for Breast Cancer Recovery 28 29 10:00 AM Meditation Reflection The 8 Steps of Buddhism - A Path to Healing 30 8:00 PM Lymphedema Support Group: Managing Swelling, Symptoms & Daily Life Together 1 6:00 PM Guided Hypnosis for Breast Cancer Thrivers & Caregivers 2 7:00 PM MBC Peer to Peer Support | Thursday Night Thrivers Meetup +2 more 3 4 5 11:00 AM Breast Cancer Book Club – A Monthly Escape Into Stories, Connection, and Joy 6 10:00 AM Meditation Reflection The 8 Steps of Buddhism - A Path to Healing +1 more 7 7:00 PM Meditation Tuesday for Self-Care 8 9 7:00 PM Inflammatory Breast Cancer Support Group (IBC) Online Meetup +1 more 10 10:00 AM Reflective Writing for Metastatic Breast Cancer 11 Top of Page Program Calendar Section Grid 2 Download the calendar MONTHLY CALENDAR Breast Cancer Awareness Month Make an Impact TODAY TODAY TODAY TODAY Inspire. Empower. Support. Donate Join Our Breast Cancer Awareness Month Silent Auction! We are thrilled to be launching our silent auction which will run untill Friday, October 25. You can check out amazing travel packages including glamping at the Grand Canyon, tickets to the Kentucky Durby, two nights at a hotel to see Cirque Du Soleil and more! Explore all of the auction items and Bid For Good!

A virtual breast cancer support group offered in Spanish. Clases Pregrabadas Historias Inspiradoras Enviar Contenido Podcast More Después de un Diagnóstico Un servicio proporcionado por SurvivingBreastCancer.org Después de un diagnóstico, nacemos con el propósito de brindar apoyo a la comunidad hispana que ha sido diagnosticada con cáncer de mama. Ofrecemos acompañamiento a los pacientes, sus familias y cuidadores, a partir del diagnóstico. Comunidad Después de un Diagnóstico es un grupo de apoyo para nuestra comunidad hispanohablante. Únete a nosotros (el segundo y cuarto martes de cada mes) para compartir tus experiencias, conocer a otros, y sentirte acompañado/a. Únete Próximos eventos Multiple Dates Círculo de Mujeres: Apoyo Emocional y Crecimiento Personal Thu, Jun 04 Zoom More info RSVP Multiple Dates Grupo de Apoyo: Después de un Diagnóstico de cancer de Mama Tue, Jun 09 Virtual More info RSVP Multiple Dates Thu, Jun 04 Círculo de Mujeres: Apoyo Emocional y Crecimiento Personal / Zoom RSVP Jun 04, 2026, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM Zoom Círculo de Mujeres es un encuentro recurrente creado especialmente para mujeres diagnosticadas con cáncer que buscan trabajar en sí mismas, descubrir nuevas herramientas de crecimiento personal y fortalecer su bienestar emocional. See All Multiple Dates Tue, Jun 09 Grupo de Apoyo: Después de un Diagnóstico de cancer de Mama / Virtual RSVP Jun 09, 2026, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM Virtual Encuentro en Español | Martes por la Noche ¡Únete a nuestro Grupo de Apoyo en Español: Después de un Diagnóstico de Cáncer de Mama, un espacio seguro, privado e inclusivo creado para acompañarte en cada eta¡Únete con nosotros para nuestro exclusivo Evento Martes - después del diagnóstico en español! +2 more Multiple Dates Thu, Jun 18 Círculo de Mujeres: Apoyo Emocional y Crecimiento Personal / Zoom RSVP Jun 18, 2026, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM Zoom Círculo de Mujeres es un encuentro recurrente creado especialmente para mujeres diagnosticadas con cáncer que buscan trabajar en sí mismas, descubrir nuevas herramientas de crecimiento personal y fortalecer su bienestar emocional. Multiple Dates Tue, Jun 23 Grupo de Apoyo: Después de un Diagnóstico de cancer de Mama / Virtual RSVP Jun 23, 2026, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM Virtual Encuentro en Español | Martes por la Noche ¡Únete a nuestro Grupo de Apoyo en Español: Después de un Diagnóstico de Cáncer de Mama, un espacio seguro, privado e inclusivo creado para acompañarte en cada eta¡Únete con nosotros para nuestro exclusivo Evento Martes - después del diagnóstico en español! Multiple Dates Thu, Jul 02 Círculo de Mujeres: Apoyo Emocional y Crecimiento Personal / Zoom RSVP Jul 02, 2026, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM Zoom Círculo de Mujeres es un encuentro recurrente creado especialmente para mujeres diagnosticadas con cáncer que buscan trabajar en sí mismas, descubrir nuevas herramientas de crecimiento personal y fortalecer su bienestar emocional. Multiple Dates Tue, Jul 14 Grupo de Apoyo: Después de un Diagnóstico de cancer de Mama / Virtual RSVP Jul 14, 2026, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM Virtual Encuentro en Español | Martes por la Noche ¡Únete a nuestro Grupo de Apoyo en Español: Después de un Diagnóstico de Cáncer de Mama, un espacio seguro, privado e inclusivo creado para acompañarte en cada eta¡Únete con nosotros para nuestro exclusivo Evento Martes - después del diagnóstico en español! Multiple Dates Thu, Jul 16 Círculo de Mujeres: Apoyo Emocional y Crecimiento Personal / Zoom RSVP Jul 16, 2026, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM Zoom Círculo de Mujeres es un encuentro recurrente creado especialmente para mujeres diagnosticadas con cáncer que buscan trabajar en sí mismas, descubrir nuevas herramientas de crecimiento personal y fortalecer su bienestar emocional. Multiple Dates Tue, Jul 28 Grupo de Apoyo: Después de un Diagnóstico de cancer de Mama / Virtual RSVP Jul 28, 2026, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM Virtual Encuentro en Español | Martes por la Noche ¡Únete a nuestro Grupo de Apoyo en Español: Después de un Diagnóstico de Cáncer de Mama, un espacio seguro, privado e inclusivo creado para acompañarte en cada eta¡Únete con nosotros para nuestro exclusivo Evento Martes - después del diagnóstico en español! Multiple Dates Thu, Aug 06 Círculo de Mujeres: Apoyo Emocional y Crecimiento Personal / Zoom RSVP Aug 06, 2026, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM Zoom Círculo de Mujeres es un encuentro recurrente creado especialmente para mujeres diagnosticadas con cáncer que buscan trabajar en sí mismas, descubrir nuevas herramientas de crecimiento personal y fortalecer su bienestar emocional. Load More Calendario Todos nuestros eventos son gratuitos. ¡Descarga el calendario y reserva las fechas! Descargar Preguntas para tu Oncólogo Descargar PDF Preguntas para tu Radiólogo Descargar PDF Preguntas para tu Cirujano Descargar PDF Suscríbete a nuestro boletín informativo Suscríbete