Let’s Talk About It: Black Women with Breast Cancer (Black Hair & Healing: A Special Let’s Talk About It Session)
Have you ever felt hesitant about participating in a clinical trial or getting genetic testing? Or maybe no one on your care team even mentioned it? You’re not alone. Many in the Black community cite historical injustices, like what happened to Henrietta Lacks and the Tuskegee Experiment, as reasons for distrust when it comes to […]
Let’s Talk About It: Gynecologic Cancer (Party of One: When You Are the Primary Caregiver for You)
Not all cancer survivors have an extensive or consistently available network for support. Getting to and from medical appointments, processing difficult information, making treatment decisions, or finding your way through dark emotional moments is hard; doing all of this on your own is even more challenging. While certain situations like a move or a significant […]
AYA Cancer & Fertility: What No One Talks About
A cancer diagnosis can feel like a profound betrayal, but for many young adults (AYA), that betrayal deepens with an infertility diagnosis. In this deeply personal and informative discussion, we explore the unique fertility challenges faced by those diagnosed with cancer under 40 for both male-at-birth and female-at-birth individuals. SHARE’s breast cancer program director, Megan-Claire […]
AYA Cancer Awareness: The Unique Challenges of Breast Cancer in Young Adults
Our Breast Cancer Program Director and host of the Our BC Life podcast, Megan-Claire Chase, is not only an advocate in the breast cancer space but also an Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) breast cancer survivor. In oncology, AYA refers to individuals diagnosed with cancer under 40 facing unique challenges that set them apart from […]
Let’s Talk About It: Breast Cancer (The Emotional Impact of Menopause from Cancer Treatment)
Cancer treatment often changes the relationship survivors have with their bodies, and the emotional toll of treatment-induced menopause deserves our attention. Hormonal shifts, surgical scars, changes in sensitivity, and physical discomfort or pain can feel overwhelming, bringing up emotions like loss, disconnection, anger, imperfection, and shame. These feelings are normal but can be challenging to […]
Let’s Talk About It: Gynecologic Cancer (Calm Body, Calm Mind – Using Your Body to Manage Stress)
Stress manifests in our thinking, emotions, and bodies. Recognizing those signs and building skills to address stress takes attention and effort. Cultivating skills to use your body as a tool to help you find calm and regain a sense of control can help you navigate moments of heightened anxiety. Join us to learn strategies for […]
Let’s Talk About It: Breast Cancer (The Unspoken Emotions of Cancer Survivorship)
Sadness and worry are often discussed as common emotional responses to cancer survivorship, but what about the quieter, heavier feelings—resentment, regret, bitterness, or anger? These “darker feelings” are just as valid and normal, yet they often go unspoken and unprocessed. Join us for an open and compassionate conversation about these less-discussed emotions. Together, we’ll create […]
Let’s Talk About It: Gynecologic Cancer (Dueling Identities – When the Patient is also the Caregiver)
Navigating a cancer diagnosis is not easy. Caregiving can also be a demanding and emotionally exhausting role. When a patient is also a caregiver, the grief, strain on time and resources, mental and emotional load, and isolation can be overwhelming. Where do you find moments of respite, what perspective shifts help you regain your footing, […]
Let’s Talk About It: Breast Cancer (Navigating PTSD in Cancer Survivorship)
For many breast cancer survivors, the journey doesn’t end with treatment—emotional and mental challenges can linger long after a diagnosis. Experiencing intense feelings like “scanxiety” before follow-up appointments or unexpectedly reliving emotions triggered by a cancer storyline on TV are common, but they may also be signs of PTSD. These distressing moments can feel overwhelming, […]