How can hope and joy come out of stage IV breast cancer? Ask WhatNexter baridirects. Christine is an incredible example of a cancer survivor that has fought her battle against cancer with courage. To this day, her courage has turned into joy of life and hope for the future. She also spreads her hope as a mentor for other breast cancer patients. Here is her story...

How I Was Diagnosed With Breast Cancer

My cancer journey began in January of 2013. I had gotten a normal mammogram the previous...

Many people worry, "Could this be cancer?" There are many common symptoms that could be cancer and signs that people might want to be aware of. Prevention and early detection of cancer can be important to your health. According to the American Cancer Society some cancers can be found early and therefore treated before they have time to spread and grow.

Keep in mind that not all these things can mean cancer. If you are worried about any symptoms or signs that might be cancer, please contact...

Coping with metastatic cancer, advanced cancer, and cancer recurrence can be especially intimidating because patients are left to wonder "Is my cancer spreading?" and "How do I cope emotionally with metastatic cancer?" 

Here are some answers to questions about metastatic cancer, and some suggestions on how to cope. 

What is metastatic cancer?

Metastatic cancer is cancer that has spread from the initial site to other parts of the body. Cancer cells can metastasize away from...

A mastectomy, either single or double, is a common treatment for women with breast cancer. If you are given the option and choose to undergo a mastectomy, here is some firsthand advice on things WhatNexters wish they had known before going into a mastectomy. From tips on preparing your home to asking your doctor about specific side effects, here are some things that might be helpful as you move forward with your breast cancer procedure. 

I wish I had known...

How to Prepare My...

Background: WhatNext.com is an online support network developed in partnership with the American Cancer Society that helps help cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers gain firsthand insight into living with cancer and connect with others facing a similar diagnosis. Members of WhatNext.com are sometimes referred to as "WhatNexters."

Many people with cancer go into their first chemotherapy treatment with no idea of what to expect or how their body will react. Here is a list from...

Debbie Woodbury, breast cancer survivor and one of our guest bloggers, has provided us with another powerful post. It is an excerpt from her second book, How to Build an Amazing Life After Treatment; 10 (more) simple secrets to creating inspired healing, wellness & your joyous life after cancer. This is the second part of her After Treatment Book series.

In this excerpt she gives her first new secret: Celebrate Your Courage. Debbie has already inspired WhatNext readers through her post...

It was an unusually warm mid-December day here in Southern Illinois. My family of four (hubby and two kids 8 and 10 at the time) always take advantage of warm days to go on long hikes in our state parks or to go mountain biking! It was a muddy hike that day, so I hopped in the shower as soon as I got home. That’s when I found the lumps – two of them, side-by-side. 

                                 ...

There are many reconstruction options for women who undergo breast cancer surgery. Doctors aim to boost the cancer patient’s self-esteem by working with them after a lumpectomy, mastectomy, or double mastectomy to get their breasts looking as normal as possible. If you have had breast and/or nipple reconstruction, you might be considering nipple tattooing. It is a valuable option for cancer fighters and cancer survivors; here is my advice simply drawn from my own experience:

Have your tattoo...

Actress and director Angelina Jolie has experienced a great amount of support around her decision to have a double mastectomy to prevent her 87% chance of developing breast cancer. Jolie’s mother died at the age of 56 after fighting breast cancer for 10 years. Jolie, age 37, possesses the BRCA-1 (breast cancer) gene and her doctors estimated that she had an 87% chance of developing breast cancer and a 50% chance of developing ovarian cancer. 

On April 27, Jolie finished the...

U.S. singer Anastacia, who has popularity in Europe and Australia, had to cancel her tour scheduled for April 6 because her breast cancer has come back for the second time. Her tour was to take place in Europe beginning in London. Anastacia, whose full name is Anastacia Lyn Newkirk, successfully battled cancer in 2003 and has since been in remission. Anastacia is 44 years old.

Anastacia hopes to make a full recovery with the support of her family, friends, and fans. Although she laments the...