What do a grandfather of three from Massachusetts, a 26-year-old Bahamian Ph.D. candidate, and a 59-year-old retired mother of two have in common? They’ve all been diagnosed with breast cancer, and each has discovered a unique way to cope with the disease.
Although breast cancer is most commonly diagnosed among women in their early 60s, it doesn’t exclusively discriminate by age or by gender. And while nobody expects to get breast cancer, it can feel particularly isolating to be part of a population in which the disease is relatively rare. LaShae Rolle knew how unlikely it was for a woman in her 20s to be diagnosed when she received the news at age 26. And it was made even stranger by another factor: At the time, she was getting her Ph.D. in cancer-prevention research. Knowing how few women of color are included in clinical trials for breast cancer, Rolle subsequently decided to use her diagnosis to help close the diversity gap. “Any time I’m able to enroll in a clinical trial, I do,” she says. “I want to help not just myself, but also people who are similar to me.”
For Jake Messier, the only way to fight the feeling of isolation that came with his breast cancer diagnosis was to surround himself with family. After Jake learned in 2020 that he had stage IV metastatic breast cancer, his 30-year-old daughter, her husband, and their three kids moved in with Messier, his wife, their 16-year-old son, and their five dogs to help with his care. “A lot of people on their cancer journey feel alone,” says Messier. “And I never ever feel alone.” His advice for the 2800 men in the U.S. who'll be diagnosed with breast cancer this year? “Find your people. Find your place.”
For Alycia Villasana, the key to coping with her disease was connecting with her creativity. After being diagnosed with breast cancer at age 36 back in 2003, she learned her cancer had returned in 2019 — and had metastasized to her lungs. The news took a major toll on Villasana’s mental health. “I went to a really negative place, and I needed help,” she remembers. While at a support group, Villasana was encouraged to seek out therapy as a means of self-care. She had always loved art, so she began working with an art therapist. “I began doing guided imagery with the therapist, and that taught me how to be honest with myself,” she says.
Breast cancer may be one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers, but each patient’s lived experience is completely unique. Whether it’s via seeking support from family, finding purpose by aiding in medical research, or discovering a new creative outlet, the way patients choose to cope with their diagnosis can help uncover a bit of light in the dark.
