Honest truth, I don't know anyone with Breast Cancer, or even cancer for that matter!
I guess I'm one of the lucky few...

21 years ago my aunt was diagnosed, after chemo and radiation she was free and clear until the beginning of September this year. She's had the surgery, we wait until the end of this week to find out if she needs chemo, but she'll definitely do a round of radiation. But it could be worse, this time is much better than the cancer two decades ago.

It's been six years since my Mother passed away from breast cancer. It feels like yesterday that she left my brother and I. I miss her more than I can describe. I loved her so much.

My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago , and she went to hell and back , and overcame it , i am so proud of her... it was reallly hard for all of us... and to see my grandma like that killed me...

SHE IS THE STRONGEST PERSON I KNOW

Lovaajn I'm so sorry..ur story makes me cry

My paternal grandmother Clara Husty had cancer and a double masectomy and lived to be almost 90, her husband, my grandpa Steven died of lung cancer, and Her Son, my father James died of lung cancer in 1976. I miss them all very much.

I have a cousin that was diagnosed when she was 25, she went trough everything and overcame it. Now she is 31 and gave birth to a lovely baby girl. I'm so proud of her she never let that stop her and was always so positive. I'm so thankful that she is fine and healthy now.

Some of my co-workers have had breast cancer, one a long time ago and one while we were working together. It was really cool to see how strong they were.

My grandmother had it in 1990. She came up from Nicaragua to get treatment since my mom lives in Maryland. The day that she had her mastectomy surgery was also the day that we discovered I had Leukemia.

Not the best of days for my mother but both my grandmother and I survived cancer so I feel a special bond with her.

My grandmother was diagnosed with it this year. She had a single mastectomy and is doing very well. Her sister was diagnosed with it last year and had (I think) a double mastectomy. It definitely runs in my family, so it is something I am very aware of. My grandmother and her sister are very strong women and i look up to them very much. It is a terrible disease, but the key is to getting regular mammograms and catching the cancer early so that you can treat it and fight like hell. My thoughts go out to all those survivors and those fighting this disease, as well as to those who have lost loved ones.

Wow nica that is amazing. Good for both of you and I'm sure your mother counts her blessings every day that you were both spared.

I have known a few people with breast cancer and all of them have found it early enough to beat it, thank goodness.

I also wanted to post here for education purposes. If you have a family history of breast cancer, you should talk to your doctor about getting genetic testing to see if you are a carrier. Not all breast cancer is genetic, but some is, and if you have the gene you have a really, really high probability of getting breast cancer.

my aunty had breast cancer about 12 years ago... she was treated went into remission and and even had a masectomy. however she didnt continue to take her drugs (and though we dnt definitive know if its the cause) nor keep up with her check ups. and 11 years ago she was diagnosed again and 8 months later she passed.
it was the first real death i experienced first hand. its a scary disease. but we have come a long way - but check ups and mammograms and taking urself are all the more important and obvious measures we need to continue to take.

i work in a medical center & specially on a project that deals with speaking with breast cancer survivors..these women have some amazing stories to share...some have been so traumatized though because of the poor healthcare that they refuse to go see a medical doctor..it's rather saddening

I'm a genetic counslor and just wanted to take a minute to stress the benefits of genetic testing. If you or a family member on either side of your family has been diagnoses with breast o ovarian cancer at a young age (under 50) or if you have multiple family members that have been diagnosed with cancer you may be a candidate for genetic testing. Talking with a trained genetic counselor about testing can help identify your risk of developing cancer and help you get appropriate screening whether or not you choose to have testing.

Not breast cancer, but brain, lung and colon cancer. All three family members who were sick passed away pretty quickly.

My Mother is a breast cancer survivor. Go Mom!

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer about 4 years ago. Over the course of a year it spread to her lungs and then on to her brain. She passed away this last January. She was only 49 years old. Her mother also passed away at a young age, 48, from ovarian cancer I'll definitely be participating in genetic testing. I really hope a cure is found soon! I appreciate everyone who takes the time to support breast cancer research, especially during October!

My mother was diagnosed 8 years ago at 42. She kicked its ASS and is now one of the strongest and most badass women I know. She now runs her own support group and non-profit for women affected by cancer. I love her SO much and she makes me so proud!

My boyfriend's mum had breast cancer and she's in remission now. She needs a heart transplant though as her heart was severely damaged from all of the chemo.

My aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer about a month ago. She's undergoing chemo. She's only 34 and has two young children (5 and 9). They'd just sold their house to go on a big trip around the country in a bus they'd be doing up for 2 years when she was diagnosed.

flyinggrip, thanks for the info. My aunt has breast cancer at a young age (mid 30s), but she and my mum have different fathers so she's techincally blood related to me only as a half aunt. Do you think I should consider genetic testing? No one else has had breast cancer in my family so I didn't think it was genetic, just that she was unlucky.

My aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer about two years ago. She had surgery and did chemotherapy. I remember when I saw her post chemo one time and she seemed so fragile. She also lost all of her hair and self esteem along with it. She has been cancer free for about a year now. But I still worry for her. I can't imagine how it feels to be in that predicament. To make matters worse, her father (my grandfather) was diagnosed with colon cancer. Thankfully he went through chemotherapy and is also cancer free. So cancer is obviously a big threat for me. I'll just have to take precautionary measures. RIP to all the people who didn't win the battle with this disease. To all people going through this right now, I wish you the best of luck.

It bothers me that October is so focused on just Breast Cancer Awareness, while I think it's a good cause, I think it's fairly well known, while October is also Lupus Awareness Month, nobody asks about it...it's overshadowed. I wish they got equal amounts of exposure, because Lupus is a disease that like breast cancer, mostly effects women, and can be life changing and life threatening.

and let the crucifiction begin for my comments...

My gramma had one of her breasts removed due to breast cancer. She had to sew her own bra, as they did not make them (I'm not sure if they do now), with one cup full of a pillow. That was before I was born, and she hasn't had anymore problems. I know there are a lot of people who are not as lucky. I for one, would be petrified to have a breast removed.

My grandmother passed from breast cancer when I was 11. she is the reason i don't believe in "natural healing" with herbs and such for any kind of cancer. My other grandmother is a 4 time surviver (not just breast cancer). she is the strongest woman i know. my mother is also a breast cancer surviver. she had a double mastectomy and loves her insurance cover reconstruction . My aunt has also survived leukemia and a tumor on her skull the size of an orange. the little pink ribbon doesn't just remind some of us of breast cancer. It stands for survival of any type of cancer.

covered*

My husband's aunt passed away from breast cancer, & I also have a good friend who lost her mom after many battles with it. I always keep the "Feel Your Boobies" icon on all my stuff - that site is wonderful. It was started by a breast cancer survivor, & I believe that you all should showcase her website here at Sugar. She's come a long way from shipping t-shirts with the help from her parents, & even though I don't know her I'm very proud of her. Go Leigh!! www.feelyourboobies.com

Memorial Day 2007 marked my one year anniversary. Actually I found out I was diagnosed the day after Memorial Day. I had been married only 5 months to my one and only love, just purchased a beautiful home...life was finally making sense. Being only 34 with no family history of cancer, this was shocking to everyone. You know how the pebble sends ripples...well this rippled like crazy. In the end, I am much stronger because of it. I know it sound cliche' but it's true. You never really know how strong you are or what a fighter you can be until you're faced with something like this. Although its been almost a year since my last treatment, the fight continues. What I've learned is the fight never ends.

Survivor2006
I hope I can find that strength, when I need it.

My best friends mum struggled with many different forms of cancer for 15+ years and she sadly passed away. My friend was in her early teens when she died and I just wanted to say that if there is anyone suffering from cancer with children - tell them the truth. Or at least what you think they can understand or handle. Her parents didn't tell her very much, although obviously she knew her mum was ill from a young age, but she didn't fully understand until it was getting too late. It made things extremely traumatic and led to resentment. I was there to witness how horrible it was and I hate to think of other people going through it.
Good luck to everyone still fighting. Be strong and know our thoughts are with you.

i feel very blessed to not have anyone in my immediate family who has had to suffer from cancer, but my mother's best friend is battling it. she has been fighting for years, and is seeing slow improvement. she's a wonderful woman and i have done some fundraisers with my mom for her. she gave me a pink bracelet and i've been wearing it for almost a year, hopefully its a small reminder to whoever sees it that this is an important issue, and awareness and research is critical.

Sadly my great-grandmother was taken by breast cancer. About a two months ago by grandmother was diagonsed with it as well. She's been lucky so far that they caught it early and only has had to have radation. I'm going to start mamograms early, I think I might be at high risk for breast cancer..

My worst memory was with a guy I dated for a few years. I knew his grandmother had breast cancer. At the time we just started out dating, but the night of one of our first dates, he got the call she passed away. No one in my family has ever been diagnosed, but it showed me how much it affects a family.

Breast Cancer runs on the woman/mother side of my family, so I know for sure that I am getting it within the next few years.

My mom, aunt, grandma, and cousins have all gotten it. My mom is the most recent one. It was extremelly difficult for her becuase the doctors lied to my mother for years that she didn't have breast cancer until it was so bad that it threatened her life. The cancer was an inch away from her chest. Sadly she had to get both breasts taken off. She then contracted a terrible infection becuase something was dirty in the hospital when doing the surgery. She got reconstructive surgery. My poor mother, she had to go through so much, but at least she is still alive.