What helps you cope after being diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer?

Keep that attitude of gratitude going Kay! I am a 3X BC survivor -- both breasts each time caught early!

Hallelujah 🙌 🙌 🙌

Kay, is your cancis DCIS? I was diagnosed with stage 0 DCIS in December of 2024, had a lumpectomy and radiation, and recently started a hormone suppressant medication. Hang in there! Other than the shock of having cancer, mine has been a relatively easy process. If I can ever help or answer any questions for you, just send me a message.

Hi, Kay- I lost my husband of almost 50 years to cancer on 8/18/24. He was 70 years old. After going through the major change in my life of losing him, I was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer on 5/15/2025. Let’s just say life has been hard with all of this going on. Thankfully I have our two grown kids near me that have been a godsend for me. My mantra: just keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep going… I’m not saying that’s easy, because it’s not. But it’s necessary to stay strong through these difficult times. Do I still cry every day? Yes. But I keep going, as that’s all we can really do! Prayers for all of the women dealing with what we’re dealing with ❤️

Barbara, yes my cancer is DCIS. Does the hormone medication cause hair loss on your head? How long and how many days did you have radiation?

Kathy V, yes, prayers for all the women who are going through this battle. We will win this battle in the name of Jesus. 🙏

Hi Kay! I had gone for my mammogram on December 20th, 1993. I was using up my HCSA from where I worked before the end of the year. That same day I went to court for a divorce. I was originally diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994, when I was 39 years old. I was stage 0, it was DCIS. I had a lumpectomy of the left breast. I had radiation treatment. I put everything in God's hands, I had no control over my future. I had great support at the time, my sister and church family. I had a 3-year-old and my main objective is that I had to keep going. I didn't do any crying until the night before my needle biopsy. My concern was my daughter. I had just recently gotten divorced. I got the final notice on January 2, 1994. So my year was starting with a "bang!" If you consider that I was very fortunate I made the right decision to have the mammogram when I did. It was really a fluke cause I was only 39 years old and had no family history of breast cancer. I was the first in my family. I now have two sisters that has had breast cancer. They were older than I was at the time of their diagnosis. Two years ago, in March of 2023, I was diagnosed again with breast cancer. The same type, DCIS stage 2 this time. But they told me they saw it only in my left breast. I requested that they check my right. They did tests and it showed nothing. I told my doctor to remove both. I didn't want to come back to go under again. She took both off. Praise God, cause there was cancer in the right as well. I made the right decision! My surgeon was the best! I was so happy I kissed her cause I made the right decision to have a bilateral mastectomy. I could not take any further radiation and I now only take a pill. The first pill I took I reacted, and they changed the medication. I cannot take any infusions. I had a bad reaction to it. My daughter is now 35 and I'm 71, just recently had my birthday. I now have three birthdays, January 14, 1994, April 26, 2023, and my actual birthday in October, 1954. I praise God every day for the second and third chances at life. I plan on seeing my four grandchildren (17, 15, 11, and 9 years old) grow into adulthood. I have great faith that God has been walking or carrying me on this journey all the time. I really had no negative days or down days at all. I keep a positive attitude at all times. Keep your faith and know that you can get through this journey. You have great support through this too. Your family! Rely on others and keep positive. Talk to your doctor about any, and all concerns. You can do this! I'll be praying for you, Kay! 🙏❤️

Kay, the medication does not cause hair loss. I haven’t had any side effects as of now. My radiation oncologist said they are moving away from daily radiation, so I had five weeks of radiation, but only one time a week. It was a stronger dose and she said that it is just as effective and sometimes people have fewer side effects. I put cream on the area three times a day and I was slightly more tired than usual, but that’s it. It was scary, but much easier than I thought it would be.

Yes this is the best strategy. You’re a lucky one ! Lumpectomy and radiation will be easy peasy. Depending how old you are the tamoxifen or Letrozole might be a bit challenging in terms in managing side effects but they are manageable and won’t affect t yiur life style much if you don’t let them ! All the best to you! I am 68 yrs old ;8 months out of same treatment for a 5mm IDC. Stage 1 , low grade , onco score 10. I opted to enter the DEBRA trial bc I was eligible. I wanted to contribute to science and potentially save women from the radiation ( although that was a breeze ; no side effects )

Thank you all for your replying back to me. This really helps. My Lumpectomy has been rescheduled to October 21, 2025.

Finding strength through faith and spirituality can be a powerful source of comfort during this challenging time, and catching cancer at stage 0 truly offers the best possible outlook for treatment success. Many people in this community share similar coping strategies like prayer, meditation, connecting with loved ones, gentle exercise, journaling, and finding support groups where they can talk with others who understand the journey. What aspects of your support system have been most helpful as you prepare for your upcoming procedure?

I’m praying for you

I had my Lumpectomy October 21, 2025. The surgery went well. At this moment I am very much in pain and I know it will pass. Will be seeing my breast cancer specialist who did my surgery next week. She will then check me over and talk to me about seeing an oncologist for my radiation treatments. I have started Journaling about my breast cancer. It helps me to write than to keep it bottled up inside me to release my feelings on paper. I felt so good today in spite of my pain I'm going through. Prayer and reading the Bible helps put me at ease and focus on the goodness of Almighty God the Father. This group is a blessing to help each other and give advice. I will keep you posted on my breast cancer journey. My friends, God is able. He is the great Physician and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. I am praying for all of you as we are all in this together. Be encouraged. God got us! 🙏❤️🙏

Hello sister in Christ be encouraged hold on to two more scriptures to encourage you more. Joshua1:9, and Psalms 121:1-2 be Blessed!

Thank you Sheila! I surely will read them both. Be encouraged and be blessed!🙏❤️🙌🥰

Friday November 7, 2025, I had a radiation consult with the oncologist. I will be having radiation treatments in a few weeks Monday through Friday. Will keep you all updated on my progress. Praying for all of you. God bless you.🙏❤️🙏