Hearing the words “breast cancer” from a doctor can be terrifying, but it’s a reality one in eight women in the US will face during their lifetime. What’s even more frustrating is that there’s only so much you can do to reduce your risk, because while habits like diet and exercise play a role, there are plenty of risk factors, like your age and genetics, that are simply out of your control. If there’s a silver lining, it’s that advances in treatment, increased awareness, and early detection have contributed to a promising trend: there are fewer deaths from breast cancer today than 30 years ago.
Of course, statistics are little comfort when it’s you or a loved one who’s receiving the news. That’s why POPSUGAR asked survivors to share their journeys through diagnosis and treatment, as well as the advice they’d give others battling this disease. While each woman’s experience is unique, there’s a common thread in what they had to say to those who are just getting started: you have to be your own advocate. Keep reading for their stories of heartbreak, hope, and survival.