It's OK, Not to be OK.
We want to challenge the pervasive toxic positivity that frequently characterizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
It's OK, Not to be OK.
We want to challenge the pervasive toxic positivity that frequently characterizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Known for its pink-ribboned celebrations, marketing partnerships, and festive walks and fundraisers, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is also a complicated time for many members of the breast cancer community. While the month’s initiatives often emphasize early detection and celebrate survivorship, they may inadvertently overlook or minimize the unique and ongoing challenges that those currently navigating a breast cancer diagnosis face.
At Outcomes4Me, we believe It’s OK, Not to be OK. Throughout October, we’re sharing knowledge and resources to support all of our patient members–those who are doing well emotionally, and those who might be struggling. And that’s OK. A breast cancer diagnosis isn’t anything you have to be thankful for. It’s life-changing, and we acknowledge that.
Together, we recognize that this is hard–and find comfort in accepting the complicated feelings this awareness month brings. Check back here throughout the month for fresh content and benefits specifically for Outcomes4Me members.
From the Blog
- 3 reasons to journal during your breast cancer treatment
- Finding flow after the finish line: benefits of yoga in survivorship
- How do you practice self-care during your early cancer diagnosis?
- 5 essential self-care strategies for living with metastatic breast cancer
- Prioritizing mental health in survivorship
- How to manage feelings of anxiety during breast cancer treatment
- 6 mental health resources for breast cancer patients
- Supporting breast cancer patients: 5 nonprofits to know this BCAM
- Male Breast Cancer: A unique emotional challenge
- Top 3 things you should understand about cardiovascular disease after breast cancer
- Metastatic, not alone. Spotlight on pillars of the MBC advocacy community.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month Book Club
Suzanne Garner, our Director of Marketing & Community, and a Stage II breast cancer survivor, has curated this list of Breast Cancer Awareness Month “required reading,” including:
- Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach, which focuses on emotional healing and spiritual freedom.
- When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön, which offers wisdom for difficult times.
- It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered by Lysa TerKeurst, which is a true story of one woman’s struggle with a failed marriage and a breast cancer diagnosis
Fill out the following survey and tell us how Outcomes4Me has helped you to be entered to win this full package of books!
Registered Outcomes4Me patient members must complete the survey by 11:59pm ET on October 31, 2023 to be considered for the books giveaway. Limited to one entry per patient member.
The organizations offering mental health support
These fantastic organizations all offer resources to guide breast cancer patients who need mental health & wellness support:
- American Cancer Society: Provides comprehensive information and a helpline for emotional support. Website: cancer.org Helpline: 1-800-227-2345
- Cancer Support Community: Offers various types of support, including counseling and support groups. Website: cancersupportcommunity.org
- BreastCancer.org: Provides extensive resources including forums and articles focused on emotional well-being. Website: breastcancer.org
- Young Survival Coalition (YSC): Focuses on young adults affected by breast cancer and offers various types of support. Website: youngsurvival.org
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Although not specific to cancer, NAMI offers mental health support and resources. Website: nami.org Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
- Triage Cancer: We know that financial stress contributes significantly to physical and mental stress; this organization can help you navigate financial strain caused by cancer. Website: triagecancer.org
Online support communities
Have you joined the Outcomes4Me peer Community yet? Our support Community is different from others because it’s personalized by diagnosis. We know from our own experiences that broad online support groups can be frustrating because not only is one cancer stage or subtype the same, no patient is the same.
Join so you can connect with other patients who are truly walking in your shoes.
Special offers–just for the Outcomes4Me patient member community
We want to help transform Breast Cancer Awareness Month into one that’s just not about marketing or “pink-washing,” but about self-care. We’re very happy to be able to offer the following to the Outcomes4Me patient community during the month of October.
- SERENITY SUNDAY: On Sunday, October 22, 2023, Shay Moraga, a breast cancer survivor and owner of Namaste with Shay, hosted a 90-minute virtual yoga class for our members. The recording of the yoga session will be available in our app shortly.
- BCA BARRE: A member of the Outcomes4Me patient community generously hosted a virtual barre class for our members. The full recording of the class is available to watch on-demand in our app! Click here to watch now.
- JOURNALING & MENTAL HEALTH: Data suggests there are numerous mental health benefits to journaling; and studies indicate that journaling can help breast cancer patients manage the stress of diagnosis and treatment. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re excited to provide our Outcomes4Me patient members with a 15% discount to Silk & Sonder, named a “Best Anti-Anxiety Journal” by Parade, and one of the 25 best planners and agendas of 2023 by Marie Claire. Visit this link and use the code OUTCOMES4ME15 at check-out.
- EMPOWERFIT: In celebration of our collaboration with SheBird to support you in healing, Outcomes4me members receive an exclusive 20% discount code for SheBird. That’s not all – you also get a chance to win one of several $100 gift cards donated by SheBird to shop their collection. Login to the app for the discount code and all the details! Click here to learn how to enter the giveaway and access the discount code. To enter the giveaway, you must complete the survey by 11:59pm ET on October 31, 2023. Only one entry per patient member.