Samantha Harris, 51, former host of Dancing with the Stars and a breast cancer survivor, is shining a spotlight on the importance of self-care. She emphasizes how easy it is for patients to prioritize treatment and daily responsibilities while neglecting their emotional well-being.
Harris, a mother of two, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40—despite receiving a clear mammogram.
She underwent a double mastectomy followed by breast reconstruction and ultimately reached remission. Her experience has fueled her advocacy for self-care and survivorship support.
Psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin explains, “Self-care is a way to treat yourself, to give back to yourself.” She notes that for cancer patients, self-care can boost self-esteem and help them reconnect with joy and identity beyond their diagnosis.
Self-care can take many forms—physical activities like yoga, walking, or stretching; emotional outlets like therapy, journaling, or gratitude practices; and spiritual support through faith or mindfulness. The key is finding what brings comfort, peace, and a sense of control.
Former Dancing with the Stars host Samantha Harris, 51, is using her platform to spotlight a crucial—but often overlooked—part of the cancer journey: self-care. As a breast cancer survivor herself, Harris understands how easy it is for patients to become consumed by treatments, side effects, and daily responsibilities, leaving little time or energy to care for themselves.
“We give so much of ourselves every day, often forgetting to nourish the most important person: OURSELVES,” Harris shared in an inspirational Instagram post.
In her message to followers, Harris encouraged setting intentions that prioritize emotional and physical well-being.
“Love and respect your body, mind, and soul. Treat yourself with kindness and appreciate all your body can do. Discover a new hobby and prioritize self-care above all else,” she advised.
“Ask for help when needed and meet new friends who support and bring positivity into your life,” she added.
Courtesy of Instagram/@samanthaharrisTV
Harris’s words carry the weight of experience. As someone who has faced cancer firsthand, she knows how transformative self-care and support can be. Whether it’s leaning on a partner, family, or friends or connecting with others through online communities, finding support can make even the hardest days feel more manageable.
Above all, Harris’s message is a reminder to prioritize your own happiness and emotional health—because healing isn’t just physical. It’s about nurturing the whole self at every step.
For cancer patients, self-care isn’t just a luxury—it’s a vital part of emotional and physical healing. Psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin emphasizes the importance of making time for yourself, especially when navigating the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
“Self-care is a way to treat yourself, to give back to yourself,” Dr. Strongin tells SurvivorNet.
During treatment, it’s easy for cancer to take over every part of life—from your thoughts and emotions to your daily routine. That’s why carving out time for joy and restoration is so essential.
“Cancer can become all-encompassing, right? It can take over your thoughts, and also your schedule, and the way in which you spend time with others. So, it’s really important that you carve out time and just a bit of space and fill it with the things that bring you joy,” she explains.
WATCH: Maintaining a positive headspace.
Self-care can take many forms, depending on what brings you comfort and peace. On the physical side, activities like yoga, stretching, or short walks can help boost energy and reduce stress. Prioritizing rest and eating nourishing foods also supports your immune system and overall well-being.
Emotional self-care is just as important. Talking with a therapist, journaling your thoughts and fears, or practicing gratitude can help you process complex emotions. Creative outlets like art, music, or meditation can also provide a sense of calm and connection.
Support from others plays a key role, too. Whether it’s leaning on close family and friends or connecting with online cancer communities, surrounding yourself with people who understand and uplift you can make a meaningful difference.
Many patients also find strength in their spiritual lives. Exploring or deepening faith practices can offer comfort, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose.
No matter how you define it, self-care is about honoring your needs and giving yourself the space to heal—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Samantha’s Breast Cancer Journey
“My cancer diagnosis blindsided me when I was 40, and to be here thriving over ten years later, more energetic, more vibrant than I’ve ever been because of the deep-dive into research I did after my diagnosis is something I wanted to be able to share with everybody,” Harris told KDAF News.
Harris’s podcast, “Your Healthiest Healthy,” focuses on her lifestyle habits, many of which evolved since she battled cancer, to more health-conscious ones.
Harris was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2014 despite finding nothing during a mammogram.
“It missed the cancer in my right breast,” Harris said on her blog. “Two doctors told me the lump I found 11 days later was ‘nothing.’
“Finally, four months after finding that lump, I went to see a breast cancer specialist (a surgical oncologist), someone whose main job it is to look at breasts all day and specializes in the detection of breast cancer.”
After a follow-up MRI, biopsy, and ultrasound, Harris’s cancer was still not found. But doctors decided to remove some of her breasts for further testing because they could tell “something was not right.”
Samantha Harris was misdiagnosed before learning she had breast cancer (Photo by JC Olivera/FilmMagic)
“We decided to take it out,” she explained. “Thank goodness, because when the pathology from that lumpectomy came back, it was indeed invasive carcinoma, in addition to the less concerning ductal carcinoma in situ.”
She treated her breast cancer with a bilateral mastectomy, also called a double mastectomy, which removes both breasts. After that, she underwent breast reconstructive surgery.
WATCH: What to consider before deciding on breast reconstruction.
During reconstruction, plastic surgeons can reconstruct your breasts with implants or with your tissue taken from some other place on your body, such as your back, your abdomen, or your inner thigh.
Harris’s cancer did spread to one lymph node, but doctors decided she didn’t need chemotherapy or radiation.
The mother of two has since been declared “cancer-free” with close monitoring for the rest of what doctors tell [her] is sure to be a long, healthy life.”
What to Ask Your Doctor
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may have questions about keeping your strength through treatment. Here are a few questions to help you begin the conversation with your doctor:
What treatment will I be receiving?
What side effects are associated with this treatment?
Are there steps I can take daily to help minimize these side effects?
What physical activity routine do you recommend for me during treatment?
If surgery is needed, is a double mastectomy the safest option?
ANSWER QUESTIONS
