Navigating Survivorship After Breast Cancer
- Jill Martin, 50, says she is excited for a new start and “adventure” as she prepares for what she and her doctor expect to be her final breast cancer surgery.
- Martin was initially diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in July 2023. By November of that year, she was declared “cancer-free.” However, due to the type and aggressiveness of her disease, she remains on a preventive treatment plan to reduce the higher risk of recurrence. Earlier this year, she underwent urgent surgical repair after radiation therapy for breast cancer left significant skin damage.
- On May 12, she is scheduled to have implants replaced on both sides of her chest.
- It’s important to remember that survivorship, like in Martin’s, isn’t just an end state – it’s a continuous journey. It begins the moment a person is diagnosed with a significant health condition and continues throughout their life. You might hear people say things like, “from the moment of diagnosis, you become a survivor.” It’s a powerful sentiment that reflects the courage and resilience involved in battling a serious illness.
Leading up to her surgery, a New York Times best-selling author and “Steals & Deals” segment host, told TODAY.com, “I say I’m looking for a good time, which is funny, but I’m looking to really soak up life, travel and fall in love again.
Read MoreOn May 12, she is scheduled to have implants replaced on both sides of her chest.
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“Because I’ve been through so much, I really don’t talk about it anymore, so people think it’’ over,” Martin explained further. “I look better than I am, which is amazing. You want that, but you don’t realize how important your health is until you don’t have it.”
Referring to the urgent surgery she underwent earlier this yer, she said, “It was up there with the chemo in terms of the pain, resilience and grit it took. I was just in so much pain, and I don’t complain. It’s been a very lonely time.”
Martin, whose breast surgeon is Dr. Elisa Port and plastic surgeon is Dr. Mark Sultan, is focused on coming out of breast cancer reconstruction prepared for her next chapter of survivorship.
Dr. Sultan, who praised Martin as “extremely brave,” Sultan told TODAY.com. “She’s been through a tremendous amount.”
He continued, “She’s had a lot of adversity that she’s overcome, and her positive thinking has helped us tremendously to help her through this ordeal.”
Martin—who takes pride in her recent professional achievements, exercise regime, and prioritization of sleep—explained further, “The past five months have really demonstrated to me my resilience and how I can handle grace under pressure. I’ve learned so much about myself, and then turning 50 was just a real milestone.
“I don’t play a lot into that, but energetically, the cancer really feels over this time.”
Breast Reconstruction Resources
- Breast Reconstruction After Cancer is Not a Boob Job; What To Know About The Surgery & Clearing Up The Misconception
- Breast Reconstruction: Implants vs. Your Own Tissue
- Breast Reconstruction: Regaining Your Sense of Self
- Did You Know That Most Health Insurers Are Required To Pay For Breast Reconstruction Surgery?
- For Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy, Women May Choose ‘Now,’ ‘Later,’ or ‘Never’
She concluded, “I am ready for all the blessings that are in my life and that are coming. I’m very calm.
“I’m choosing to not feel badly. I’m choosing to go out. I’m choosing adventures.”
Last year, Martin revealed she started a “new medicine” called Verzenio (abemaciclib), a prescribed medication used alongside hormone therapy for managing patients with with HR+, HER-, node-positive, early breast cancer with a significant risk of coming back (the drug is also prescribed for some metastatic, or stage 4, breast cancer patients).
“Thank you to so many of you who have asked about a health update — as a cancer survivor, things will never be the same but they are going PRETTY WELL under the circumstances,” Martin shared on Instagram alongside a video update.
“As Dr. [Elisa] Port always tells me, “treat these drugs as safety net pills. They are your best friend fighting with you.”
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She finished up her post with “GRATEFUL” in all caps, along with an “XO” to her supporters. “Ps-for those asking, Letrazole [Femara, a hormone therapy drug] is the other medicine I am on.”
Letrazole is a drug in a tablet form used to treat certain types of breast cancer, specifically for post-menopausal women. Martin has shared that she will be on this medication for seven to 10 years, in total.
RELATED: Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer
Jill Martin’s Breast Cancer Journey
After Martin’s July 2023 diagnosis, she underwent a double mastectomy and also had 16 lymph nodes removed, with one coming back cancerous, which is typically why doctors remove so many for safety so that it will not spread.
Next, Martin went through four months of an intense chemotherapy treatment, then radiation for three more weeks.
Finally, she had a preventative surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes, since she had learned she was BRCA2-positive, meaning she had a higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Prior to Martin’s initial reconstructive surgery, she wrote a letter to herself to help pump herself up, which can be a useful tool to help shift your mindset and focus on self-love.
“You’ve been through a lot — body, mind, spirit. And somehow… we’re still here,” she wrote on Instagram. “Still standing. Still fighting. Still finding joy.”
What You Need to Know About Survivorship
Whether you’re just starting out on your path as a survivor or have been living in survivorship for some time, you’ll find that the term carries multiple meanings. At its core, survivorship refers to life after facing a significant challenge, like a cancer diagnosis. More precisely, it represents the stage following treatment—a time when individuals transition from simply enduring their experience to embracing life with renewed purpose and strength.
It’s essential to understand that survivorship isn’t a final destination—it’s an ongoing process, much like in Jill Martin’s experience. It starts the moment someone is diagnosed with a major health condition and extends throughout their lifetime. You’ll often hear phrases like, “you become a survivor the day you’re diagnosed,” which highlight this perspective.
This idea speaks to the strength and determination required to face a serious illness, honoring the resilience it takes to move forward each day.
Being a survivor involves reshaping your life while managing the lasting effects of illness and its treatment. This stage often comes with physical and emotional challenges—ongoing medical appointments, fear of the illness returning, side effects from medication, and shifts in how you see yourself. Yet, it’s also a time when many discover newfound strength, personal growth, and transformation.
Survivorship isn’t simply about being disease-free—it marks a new chapter, a significant milestone. While this path may not be one you expected or wanted, it can lead to deeper self-awareness and a clearer sense of your inner resilience. No two survivorship journeys are the same, and how you move forward is entirely personal.
As you navigate this unfamiliar phase called “survivorship,” know that it’s okay to face uncertainty—and you don’t have to face it alone. There are many resources, communities, and support networks available to walk alongside you every step of the way.
Continued Medical Care
Staying committed to ongoing medical care is essential—be sure to attend all follow-up appointments and follow your provider’s guidance closely.
Adopting healthy coping strategies can make the transition into survivorship smoother and more manageable. Remember, take your time. There’s no need to rush. You’ve already conquered significant challenges, so allow yourself the space to move forward at a pace that feels right for you. Slow and steady truly does win the race.
Resilient learning to overcome any obstacle
Regular health checkups play a crucial role in supporting overall well-being and catching potential problems early. This is important for everyone, but it becomes especially vital for those navigating life after serious illness.
For individuals in survivorship, one key reason to keep up with routine medical visits is to watch for any signs of recurrence. While the goal is always full recovery, there remains a chance that the illness could return, even after effective treatment. Consistent checkups help ensure that any changes are identified promptly, allowing for early intervention if necessary.
Managing Other Health Conditions & Healthy Lifestyle Changes, Matters Too!
A survivorship journey may sometimes result in the development of new health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or osteoporosis. Ongoing screenings and consistent monitoring play a key role in managing these conditions and preventing them from becoming more serious.
In addition, regular medical visits offer a chance for your healthcare provider to recommend positive lifestyle adjustments. These might include staying physically active, eating a nutritious diet, managing stress, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking or heavy drinking—all of which can greatly reduce the likelihood of cancer returning or other health complications arising.
‘Your Emotional Well-Being’ Can Impact Overall Survival
Dr. Dana Chase, a gynecologic oncologist at UCLA Health, says that maintaining good emotional health and quality of life is associated with better survival and better outcomes for patients. She encourages cancer patients to prioritize their emotional health for this reason.
“So definitely working on your emotional health, your physical well-being, your social environment, your emotional well-being, definitely working on those things and making them better are important and can impact your survival,” Dr. Chase told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview.
Dr. Chase suggests tapping into your support network, which includes loved ones like friends and family if you need help discovering what brings you positive emotions. You can also seek help from a patient advocate or a support group either in-person or virtually that shares your cancer or disease.
These important people in your life can help you navigate your emotions and even join you for fun activities to boost your emotional health, which in turn, can help how you address any lasting physical ailments.
When to Screen for Breast Cancer
The medical community has a broad consensus that women should have annual mammograms between the ages of 45 and 54. However, an independent panel of experts called the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is saying that women should now start getting mammograms every other year at the age of 40, suggesting that this lowered age for breast cancer screening could save 19% more lives.
The American Cancer Society recommends getting a mammogram every other year for women 55 and older. However, women in this age group who want added reassurance can still get annual mammograms.
WATCH: When you’re getting a mammogram, ask about dense breasts.
Women with a strong family history of breast cancer, a genetic mutation known to increase the risk of breast cancer, such as a BRCA gene mutation, or a medical history, including chest radiation therapy before the age of 30, are considered at higher risk for breast cancer.
Experiencing menstruation at an early age (before 12) or having dense breasts can also put you into a high-risk category. If you are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer, you should begin screening earlier.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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