I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer a little over a year ago and from my experience, relationships change a lot with cancer. While I’m not one of those people who will paint a rosy picture of cancer — and I definitely won’t call it a blessing — I will say that some of those changes are for the better.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of LatinaSHARE, we are telling stories of women who have turned to LatinaSHARE over the years and helped make LatinaSHARE into the thriving and critically important program it is today.
1. What was it like when you were first diagnosed? What resources did you access?
My gynecologist requested that I get a baseline mammogram when I was 35. During that time, I was a single parent raising a son, working full time and attending college part-time.
Why did you decide to become a SHARE Helpline Volunteer and Peer?
Being matched with a peer with the same diagnosis as mine, and joining SHARE’s DCIS Support Group, sustained me during this trying period in my life. I felt that SHARE was there for me during my entire process: biopsy, lumpectomy, radiation treatment and adjuvant therapy.
July Resource Roundup
Welcome to our monthly resource roundup! Each month, we’ll be curating study opportunities, new clinical trials, research results, news articles, personal perspectives, and upcoming events of interest to women and families affected by breast, ovarian, or metastatic breast cancer.
June Resource Roundup
Welcome to our monthly resource roundup! Each month, we’ll be curating study opportunities, new clinical trials, research results, news articles, personal perspectives, and upcoming events of interest to women and families affected by breast, ovarian, or metastatic breast cancer.
When I got my diagnosis, I really didn’t know where to turn. I felt as if I were falling off a cliff into the unknown that first week between my diagnosis and the results of my biopsy. Much later, when I saw the SHARE brochure later in my oncologist’s office, I thought, this is how I could help people who feel as lost as I did when I first was diagnosed.
SHARE is excited to announce we are welcoming a new Board President as of June 2019!
Angelica Cantlon has served on the SHARE Board for two years, including one as Vice President. She brings significant expertise from a long career in global strategy and human capital, as well as a personal connection to SHARE’s mission: Angelica is herself a two-time breast cancer survivor.
May Resource Roundup
Welcome to our monthly resource roundup! Each month, we’ll be curating study opportunities, new clinical trials, research results, news articles, personal perspectives, and upcoming events of interest to women and families affected by breast, ovarian, or metastatic breast cancer.
by Vicky Rego, Breast Cancer Helpline Coordinator
I recently had the opportunity to attend the Breast Cancer Options Integrative Medicine conference at SUNY New Paltz, where there were several workshops discussing topics such as risk and recurrence reduction, medical marijuana in treatment and care, a report back from San Antonio lead by Dr. Sheldon Feldman, stress reduction, nutrition, the financial impact of cancer, and moving beyond BRCA genetic testing.
Why did you decide to become a SHARE Helpline Volunteer and Peer?
Many years ago I lost my wonderful sister, Julia, to breast cancer. When I was also diagnosed with breast cancer--almost 17 years ago--I needed to do something for others going through the same battle.
