Rise & Slay — Kicking Breast Cancer For Good
Breast Cancer Support & Resources

Rise & Slay —
Kicking Breast Cancer For Good.

Everything I wish I had when I was diagnosed — my medical team, trusted cancer centers, real chemo tips, key stats, and the resources that helped me fight back. Because in the end, I'm not backing down.

1 in 8
Women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer
9
Chemo Tips That Actually Helped
55+
Glossary Terms Defined
Continuously updated
🎗️
Regular Screenings Save Lives The American Cancer Society recommends annual mammograms beginning at age 40 for women at average risk. Women at higher risk — due to family history, dense breast tissue, or genetic factors — may need to begin earlier and include MRI screening. Talk to your doctor about what schedule is right for you. When breast cancer is caught at the localized stage, the 5-year survival rate is approximately 99%.
Virginia Cancer Specialists & Partners

Meet My Medical Team

Over the next several months, I work closely with a dedicated team of physicians, each highly specialized in their field. Having a team you trust isn't just reassuring — it's essential. Your life depends on it. Never settle for subpar care. Be your own strongest advocate, every single day.

🩺
Medical Oncologist · Virginia Cancer Specialists
Dr. Jey Maran, MD — Oversees my treatment plan from labs to chemotherapy and beyond.
9450 Innovation Drive, Manassas, VA 20110
⚕️
Breast Surgeon · Board Certified, FACS, FSSO
Dr. Matthew T. Hueman, MD — Manages my treatment plan from diagnostic imaging to surgical intervention, post-chemo.
44035 Riverside Pkwy, Suite 310, Leesburg, VA 20176
🏥
Imaging & Procedures · StoneSprings Hospital
Mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy, echocardiogram, and chemo port placement — all done here.
24440 Stone Springs Blvd, Dulles, VA 20166
🔬
Advanced Imaging · PET and MRI of Reston
PET and MRI imaging to monitor treatment progress, staging, and response to chemotherapy throughout care.
1830 Town Center Dr., Ste 105, Reston, VA 20190
💡 Advocate for Yourself
You don't have to settle for the first opinion or the first team. Seek second opinions. Ask every question you have. Research your doctors, understand your pathology report, and make sure you feel heard. The relationship with your oncology team is one of the most important ones you'll ever have — you deserve to trust it completely.
National & Regional Cancer Centers

Trusted Cancer Resources

These are among the top cancer centers in the United States. Many local cancer centers follow the same or similar treatment plans — so if you can't travel, don't panic. Good care exists closer to home too.

🏛️
Top Cancer Centers
NCI-Designated Facilities
National Cancer Institute-designated centers represent the highest level of cancer research and care available in the U.S.
MD Anderson (Houston, TX) ↗

Memorial Sloan Kettering (New York, NY) ↗

Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) ↗

Dana-Farber Brigham (Boston, MA) ↗

City of Hope (Duarte, CA) ↗
🎗️
Advocacy & Support
National Organizations
From financial assistance to clinical trial matching to emotional support, these organizations exist specifically to help breast cancer patients navigate their journey.
American Cancer Society ↗

Susan G. Komen Foundation ↗

Breastcancer.org ↗

National Breast Cancer Foundation ↗

LIVESTRONG Foundation ↗
⚖️
Insurance & Legal Rights
Know What You're Owed
The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) of 1998 is federal law. If your insurance covers your mastectomy, it must also cover reconstruction. This is a right, not a request.
WHCRA Fact Sheet — CMS.gov ↗

Paying for Treatment — ACS ↗

NeedyMeds — Prescription Assistance ↗
Local Team
Virginia Cancer Specialists
The team treating me locally — highly specialized physicians who collaborate across disciplines to provide multidisciplinary, personalized breast cancer care. If you're in Northern Virginia, this is where I'd point you first.
Visit VCS →
From Personal Experience

Chemo Tips That Actually Helped

Chemo isn't easy — but it's come a long way thanks to modern medicine. Here's what genuinely made a difference. Always check with your oncologist before changing anything in your routine.

During Treatment
1
Stay hydrated. Water, water, and more water. It is the single most impactful thing you can do throughout treatment. Keep a water bottle with you at all times.
2
Use your anti-nausea medication. You'll likely get a prescription. Take it as needed — don't white-knuckle through nausea out of fear of taking medication. That's what it's there for.
3
Consider a chemo port. Instead of hunting for a vein every session, the port provides consistent, easy access. Many chemo drugs are toxic to smaller veins — the port protects you. I was nervous at first. It was a great decision.
4
During Taxol (paclitaxel) infusions, use icy mitts and booties. These are designed to minimize or prevent neuropathy. I ordered mine from Amazon and used them every single session.
5
Don't panic about hair loss. It's common and it's temporary. There are incredibly realistic wigs available today. Hair grows back. Your life is the priority right now.
6
If you need it, ask your doctor for a sleep aid. Rest is critical to recovery. Don't be heroic about insomnia — just check with your oncologist first to make sure it won't interfere with your treatment.
Hygiene & Self-Care
7
Keep popsicles on hand. They soothe mouth sores and help with the strange metallic taste that comes with chemo. Jolly Ranchers are also great for managing dry mouth between sessions.
8
Take short naps during the day if you can. Fatigue during chemo is real and significant. Let your body rest when it's asking for it — you're fighting something hard.
9
Find time for self-care. A long bath, a walk outside, good food, something that makes you feel like yourself. These moments matter more than they might seem during treatment.
→
Avoid sick people. Chemo weakens your immune system significantly. Stay away from anyone who is ill and avoid crowded spaces during your treatment cycle, per CDC guidance.
Surgical Option
Mastectomy
Removal of the entire breast. Recommended when cancer is widespread, multifocal, or when the patient prefers it for peace of mind. Reconstruction is covered under the WHCRA.
Surgical Option
Lumpectomy
Removal of the tumor and a margin of surrounding tissue. Often followed by radiation. Preserves the breast when margins are clear. Your surgical oncologist guides this decision.
The Numbers

Key Breast Cancer Statistics

Understanding the data puts your situation in context — and underscores exactly why early detection and advocacy matter so much. Source: American Cancer Society.

1 in 8
Lifetime Risk for U.S. Women
Approximately 13% of women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of their lifetime. That's roughly 264,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
~99%
5-Year Survival Rate — Localized Stage
When breast cancer is caught at the localized stage — before it has spread beyond the breast — the 5-year relative survival rate is approximately 99%. This is why regular screenings exist.
40
Recommended Screening Age (Average Risk)
The ACS recommends annual mammograms beginning at age 40 for women at average risk. Women at higher risk should begin earlier — discuss your personal history with your doctor.
⚠ Important — Know Your Risk Factors
Risk factors include family history, BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations, dense breast tissue, prior radiation therapy, and hormone use. If any of these apply to you, talk to your doctor about a personalized screening plan. Higher-risk women may need annual MRI in addition to mammography. Do not wait until symptoms appear — most early-stage breast cancers have no symptoms at all.
Your Path Forward

The Treatment Journey

No two paths are identical, but most breast cancer treatment follows a general progression. Understanding the stages helps you ask the right questions and know what's coming next. Your team will guide every step.

🔎 1
Detection
Mammogram · Self-Exam
The Starting Point
Regular screenings and self-awareness are the most powerful early detection tools available. Most early-stage breast cancers have zero symptoms — which is exactly why you cannot wait for a sign.
Annual Mammogram 3D Tomosynthesis Self-Exam
🔬 2
Diagnosis
Biopsy · Pathology · Staging
Know Your Enemy
A biopsy confirms the diagnosis. Your pathology report reveals cancer type, grade, stage, and receptor status (ER, PR, HER2). This data shapes every treatment decision that follows.
Core Biopsy Pathology Report Receptor Status Staging I–IV
💊 3
Treatment
Chemo · Radiation · Targeted Therapy
The Fight
Treatment often begins with chemotherapy to shrink the tumor before surgery (neoadjuvant). A chemo port makes this process significantly easier. Your oncologist owns this phase.
Chemotherapy Taxol / AC Port Placement Echocardiogram
⚕️ 4
Surgery
Mastectomy · Lumpectomy
The Turning Point
Surgical intervention typically follows chemotherapy. Your surgical oncologist guides the decision between mastectomy and lumpectomy based on tumor response, location, size, and your preferences.
Mastectomy Lumpectomy Sentinel Node Clear Margins
🌸 5
Recovery
Reconstruction · Survivorship
The Other Side
Reconstruction is covered under federal law (WHCRA 1998). Your survivorship plan keeps you monitored, empowered, and aware of what to watch for going forward. This chapter matters too.
Reconstruction WHCRA Coverage Survivorship Plan Follow-Up Scans
Interactive Tool Screening Recommendation Guide
Based on ACS & USPSTF Guidelines
Your Screening Recommendation
Select your inputs
Risk level will appear here
This tool is a general educational guide based on ACS and USPSTF screening guidelines. It is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Talk to your doctor or gynecologist about the screening schedule that's right for your specific situation. Individual risk varies significantly.
Survival statistics are based on data from the American Cancer Society. The 5-year survival rate for localized breast cancer is approximately 99%, dropping to 86% for regional and 31% for distant stage. These numbers underscore why early detection is not optional — it is life-saving.
View ACS Survival Data ↗
Reference

Breast Cancer Glossary

Diagnosis, treatment, and support terminology — the vocabulary you need to understand your pathology report, talk to your team, and advocate for yourself. Filter by category or search by keyword.

Who Helped Me

Organizations & Resources I Rely On

Because you asked. Here are the organizations, tools, and communities that have been part of my journey — both for treatment support and for staying informed and connected.

American Cancer Society
Comprehensive information, patient navigation services, and the Hope Lodge program for lodging during treatment.
Virginia Cancer Specialists
My oncology team — multidisciplinary breast cancer care in Northern Virginia. World-class physicians, locally.
Breastcancer.org
One of the most comprehensive and trustworthy patient-facing resources on treatment, research, and community forums.
Instagram
Following @steph_kicking_cancer for real-time updates, tips, and community. Connection matters during treatment.
Susan G. Komen
Helpline, financial assistance, clinical trial matching, and one of the largest breast cancer research funders in the world.
Amazon
Sourced my icy mitts and chemo comfort supplies here. Search "chemo gloves neuropathy" for the options I used.
StoneSprings Hospital
Where I had my mammogram, biopsy, echocardiogram, and port placement. Excellent care in Dulles, VA.
PET & MRI of Reston
Advanced imaging — PET and MRI scans throughout my treatment to track staging and response. Reston, VA.
Full Support Network
American Cancer Society Susan G. Komen Breastcancer.org National Breast Cancer Foundation LIVESTRONG NeedyMeds Virginia Cancer Specialists StoneSprings Hospital PET & MRI of Reston Novant Health Breast Center Johns Hopkins (Dr. Hueman) CMS.gov / WHCRA MD Anderson Memorial Sloan Kettering Mayo Clinic Dana-Farber Brigham City of Hope CDC Infection Guidelines