Hello and welcome to the Breast Cancer Coalition’s Blog.
Managing Stress and Fatigue During and After Cancer Treatment
A cancer diagnosis can affect nearly every part of daily life. For those navigating breast or gynecologic cancer, appointments, treatments, changes in routine, uncertainty about the future, and the physical and emotional effects of cancer can all take a toll on energy and well-being.
Caring for the Whole Person – Focusing on Oncology Rehabilitation, Lymphedema and Lipedema Care
Managing lymphedema and lipedema well means knowing that a community stands behind you. That is why I am so committed to the Lymphedema-Lipedema Discussion Group here at the Coalition. I want to personally invite you to join us. This group is an open, welcoming, and safe space for anyone experiencing – or at risk of experiencing – lymphedema or lipedema.
Good Nutrition, a Balanced lifestyle, and Potentially Reducing the Risk of Cancer
There is no doubt that good nutrition can optimize overall health and wellbeing.
But can good nutrition, when incorporated into a healthy lifestyle, prevent cancer? The answer is not simple, as many factors contribute to the development and recurrence of cancer.
Rowing Over Cancer: The Story of ROCCREW
ROCCREW is more than a recreational rowing club; it is a community built around movement, strength, recovery, and connection. The mission is bigger than getting stronger on the water: it’s about finding confidence, connection, and healing among people who understand the courage it takes to keep showing up.
August is Make a Will Month: One Conversation I Never Thought I’d Have at 39
One of the biggest misconceptions out there is that estate planning is only for people who are much older or wealthy. The truth is that every adult can benefit from having a plan. I’ve encouraged many of my friends and family to think about their futures and create wills, no matter what their circumstances.
Investigation Underway: One Coalition Grant Recipient’s Research on Hormone Therapy Resistance in ER+ Breast Cancer
In 2025, Zachary Smith, doctoral candidate at the University of Rochester, was one of the Breast Cancer Coalition’s two recipients of the Pamela Delp Polashenski M.D. Breast Cancer Research Trainee Grant.
The Impact of Toxic Positivity
When we’re going through a hard time, it’s kind of those in our lives to want to make us feel better. Their intentions are pure, trying to encourage us that “everything will work out” or telling us to “stay strong.”
But for those in our community living with metastatic breast or gynecologic cancer, what can be intended as encouragement from a family member or friend can come across as insincere and sometimes even hurtful.
Driven by Purpose: How One Grant Recipient is Examining the Role of Antioxidants in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
In 2025, Fatemeh Aliohammadi, doctoral candidate at the University of Rochester, was one of the Breast Cancer Coalition’s two recipients of the Pamela Delp Polashenski M.D. Breast Cancer Research Trainee Grant.
May I Have This Dance: Highlighting the Benefits of Dance in Survivorship
One of the beauties of dance is that it doesn’t have to look a particular way. Whether we’re at a wedding or just doing the dishes at home, dancing is not limited to one type of environment. It brings us joy, but more than that, dance can be good for our health. For those who have undergone treatment for breast, gynecologic, or other types of cancer, dance may offer several benefits in survivorship.
Affirming Care in Action: Honoring the LGBTQIA+ Community During a Breast or Gynecologic Cancer Diagnosis
While cancer does not discriminate in the sense that anyone can be impacted by a diagnosis, cancer affects people and communities differently. Health disparities in cancer care and outcomes exist based on many social identities like race, ethnicity, age and socioeconomic status, along with sexual orientation and gender identity.