Breast Cancer Awareness: Supporting Families Beyond the Diagnosis
When I was in first grade, my nana was diagnosed with breast cancer. At that age, I didn’t understand much about the disease. I just knew that “cancer” was scary, and sometimes it meant people didn’t get better. What I remember most from that time was the fear, the worry, and the confusion going through my
mind.
Thankfully, my nana beat breast cancer. She is here with us today, and I am so grateful for her strength and resilience. But even though she survived, the journey left its mark. As a child, I didn’t understand why she lost her hair, why she was noticeably more tired when I came over, or why she seemed like a different version of herself during treatment. Adjusting to those changes was confusing and hard.
And I now know my story isn’t unique. Cancer touches millions of families every year. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, and in the United States, about 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. Each of those diagnoses doesn’t just affect the patient—it affects their children, grandchildren, siblings, spouses, and friends.
Talking to Children About a Loved One’s Cancer
Looking back, there are things I wish I could tell my younger self—ways I could have been reassured, comforted, and helped to make sense of what was happening. Children pick up on far more than we realize. Even if they don’t fully understand medical terms, they sense when something is wrong. A few ways to help:
- Be honest, but age appropriate. Use simple, clear language—“Nana is sick, and she needs special medicine to help her get better.” Avoid overloading them with details, but don’t sugarcoat so much that they feel misled later.
- Invite questions. Kids often have big imaginations that can make things scarier than reality. Giving them space to ask what’s on their mind can reduce anxiety.
- Keep routines when possible. Structure provides a sense of safety. If bedtime stories or Saturday pancake breakfasts are normal, keep those traditions alive.
- Acknowledge feelings. Let children know it’s okay to feel sad, scared, or even angry. Their emotions are valid, just like yours.
Supporting Family Members
Cancer is heavy—not just physically, but emotionally. Partners, adult children, and siblings often take on caregiving roles, and the stress can feel isolating. If you’re supporting a loved one:
- Ask what’s most helpful. Sometimes it’s meals, sometimes it’s childcare, and sometimes it’s just sitting together in silence.
- Share the load. Divide tasks among family and friends so one person isn’t carrying everything.
- Take care of yourself too. Caregiver burnout is real. It’s not selfish to rest, seek support, or say “I need a break.”
Why Awareness Still Matters
The good news? Early detection saves lives. Mammograms, self-checks, and routine screenings are powerful tools that catch breast cancer when it’s most treatable. Encouraging the women (and men—yes, men can get breast cancer too) in your life to schedule checkups isn’t just a medical reminder—it’s an act
of love.
Moving Forward Together
Looking back, I wish I’d had more guidance as a child to understand what my nana was going through. What I did have was love, honesty, and the comfort of knowing I wasn’t alone. That’s what matters most—no one facing cancer, whether patient or family, should feel like they’re carrying it by themselves. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s commit not only to spreading awareness about screenings and treatment, but also to supporting the families walking through the journey. Because when cancer touches one person, it touches everyone who loves them.