Blog

Erica Bleznak went for genetic testing and found that a mutation on the BRCA1 gene greatly raised the chances that she would be diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer. She decided to get a prophylactic double mastectomy and oophorectomy to lower her risk of cancer.

Claire Gawinowicz was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer in March 2019. She felt unprepared for the many effects and emotions that come with a breast cancer diagnosis. In this month’s What I Wish I Knew, she discusses how preparing for a major health event, like a breast cancer diagnosis or the COVID-19 outbreak, can mean being ready to feel unprepared.

Volunteers make the work the Living Beyond Breast Cancer staff does every day possible. This month, we’re spotlighting volunteer Sooz Stever, an LBBC Young Advcocate from Syracuse, Utah.

UPDATED: The Living Beyond Breast Cancer team has decided to postpone the 2020 Conference on

Elpida Argenziano was one of four Living Beyond Breast Cancer leadership volunteers to receive a grant to attend the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. In this blog, Elpida discusses how attending the conference has helped focus her advocacy.

Kelly Burkman was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer in March 2017. A nurse told her about a program at her cancer center that allowed her to get cold caps free. In this blog she writes about her experience with cold caps.

Candace Mastin was 25 and planning her wedding when she was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer. She spoke with LBBC contributing writer Robin Warshaw about the problems that breast cancer  brought out in her marriage, and how a supportive relationship can change the experience.

Stephanie Walker is a Hear My Voice alumna and was one of four Living Beyond Breast Cancer leadership volunteers to receive a grant to attend the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Athenex sponsored Stephanie’s scholarship and that of Susan Swanson. In this blog, Stephanie discusses the challenges of bringing lessons from national conferences home to regional cancer centers.

Kim Hernandez, an alumna of LBBC’s Hear My Voice program. Here she shares what drives her to volunteer.

Shea Mencel was diagnosed with stage II, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in June 2018. Using cold caps to protect her hair allowed her to control her story.