Hello and welcome to the Breast Cancer Coalition’s Blog.
Personal Journey Angelica
Angélica (Angie) P. ha vivido una vida llena de experiencias. Sus primeros años estuvieron marcados por la pobreza y los traumas, que ha superado para convertirse en una líder dinámica y altamente educada en la comunidad latina. Actualmente Presidenta y Directora Ejecutiva dela Liga de Acción Iberoamericana, Angie se describe a sí misma como una de las «afortunadas».
Epithelial Gynecologic Cancers
When the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics revised its cancer staging system in 2014 to incorporate epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancer into one umbrella category1, the group was following the evidence.
The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act
The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act was first introduced in Congress in 2020 as HR 2178, in 2021 as HR 3183, and in 2022 as HR 549. This important legislation would waive the five-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance and the 24-month waiting period for Medicare benefits for those under age 65 with metastatic breast cancer. Personal stories such as Jules N.’s illustrate the need for this law to be enacted in 2024. Those with metastatic breast cancer have waited long enough!
Evolving Role of an Oncology Social Worker
Throughout Martha Neubert’s long, rich history of social work, she has made a difference in countless lives and endeared herself to many in the Coalition survivor community. Originally from the New York City area, she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Human Relations from Pace University in 1972.
Q&A With Our New Executive Director
Christina Thompson recently assumed the role of Executive Director of the Breast Cancer Coalition. Christina brings a wealth of lived experience, a staunch advocate’s spirit, and strong leadership capacity to her position. Here, she shares her vision for guiding the organization forward.
Triple Negative Breast Cancer
The term TNBC refers to the fact that the cancer cells do not have estrogen receptors or progesterone receptors, and they don’t make to much of a protein called HER2. TNBC accounts for about 10% of all female breast cancer cases in the United States.
Gratitude
Brother David Steindl-Rast, a 97-year-old scholar, author, and Benedictine monk, once said that “The root of joy is gratefulness…it is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.”
Fertility After Gynecologic Cancer
Life often presents us with unexpected twists and turns, and for those diagnosed with gynecologic cancer at a young age, the journey can be particularly challenging. One gynecologic cancer survivor candidly described the moment she learned about her diagnosis as “one of the most jarring, startling, and ungrounding things that’s ever happened to [her].”
Access to Affordable Care
In early 2018, I became fully disabled and unable to work due to the side effects of my chemotherapy and the disease progression. I was 61 years old. I entered the five-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits and the 24-month waiting period for Medicare health insurance.
Impact of Drug Shortages
How did we get to a point where cancer treatment facilities cannot acquire enough of certain important medications that have been the standard of care for many years? Those in treatment for cancer – and the ones who care about them – often find themselves with more questions than answers.