Turning To Faith During A Breast Cancer Battle
- Robin Roberts, who previously battled breast cancer herself, is now supporting her partner, Amber Laign, as she takes on her own battle with the disease.
- Roberts feels strongly connected to her faith. And it’s no secret that she’s consistently turned to her faith to help her through this challenging time for both her and Laign.
- Breast cancer is a common cancer that has been the subject of much research, so there are many treatment options out there. Mammograms, a standard screening procedure for breast cancer, and self breast exams can save lives.
- Although it's not for everyone, leaning into faith can help cancer warriors stay positive when times get tough.
Breast cancer survivor Roberts, 61, has been with her partner Amber Laign, 47, for nearly 17 years. And now that Laign is facing her own battle with the same disease, she's working hard to support her in any way she can and that includes through prayer.
Read More“What you’re up against may look bigger, more powerful, but when you have God’s word in your heart that enables you to withstand storms that are stronger, overcome challenges that are bigger and accomplish dreams that seem impossible,” she said in her GMA dressing room. “Now, make sure that you keep your part going. There’s nothing more powerful than saying what God says about you.View this post on Instagram
“So when the enemy roars at you, you know what, you roar right back with God’s promises.”
She finished her video with her daily prayer centered around weathering the storms thrown our way.
“Father, thank you,” she began. “Thank you that your words give life to my faith, and we can use our words to withstand the storms and waves that pound against us.
“Thank you that there is nothing, nothing more powerful than your word in our hearts. In Jesus name, Amen.”
As she always does, the TV star ended her prayer by pressing a button that lets out a sound of someone's voice presumably Laign's.
"Right sweet Amber?" the button said before Roberts left followers with her parting words. “You go out there and have yourself a blessed day and be a blessing.”
Robin Roberts and Amber Laign Battle Breast Cancer
Roberts and her partner, Laign, have been together through many highs and lows over their nearly 17-year relationship including each of their battles with breast cancer.
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Roberts received her breast cancer diagnosis in 2007. Ironically, she was diagnosed after finding a lump in her breast during her preparation for a news segment on performing self-checks. Thankfully, she was cancer-free after surgery.
But in February, Roberts shared that Laign now has to face breast cancer as well. And in an interview from just the other day, she gave an important update regarding her partner's cancer journey.
"She's had some complications with the chemotherapy," Roberts previously told Entertainment Tonight. "They're working it out. We're gonna figure it out. The prognosis is still very good."
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Complications with chemotherapy are not uncommon, but they can be scary. So, Roberts is doing everything in her power to support her loved one during this difficult setback.
"I didn't realize how much I had blocked out during my journey, and it was because of sweet Amberbecause she protected me and navigated for me," Roberts said in a previous interview with Ellen Degeneres. "So, I'm doing the same thing for her."
Then, in a more recent update, Roberts said that Laign was having a "challenging week," which is why she took some time away from GMA to be with her. Hopefully things are looking up for Laign as continues to fight the disease.
Turing to Faith during a Cancer Journey
Roberts has been very open about how faith has gotten her through tough times and encourages others to lean into their own faith. So, it's no surprise that she's still incorporating prayer as the cancer survivor's partner tackles her own battle with breast cancer.
For some people, turning to faith can be a great way to keep spirits high when cancer starts taking an emotional and/or physical toll. Monica Layton, for example, also believes in the power of faith during a fight with cancer. She turned to her church congregation for support as she battled ovarian cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic and then went through recovery.
Ovarian cancer survivor Monica Layton shares how her church was her biggest support system
"[I've] gone to the same church for a long time, so it's like another family that really supports me," she told SurvivorNet in a previous interview. "We're Episcopalian, and when I was having surgery my priest came to the hospital and stayed and prayed with my family the whole time and it was a long surgery. And then he came back to the hospital every day to pray with me."
In addition to praying for her, Layton's church also sent flowers, cards and a prayer blanket and often visited her.
"They were so kind," Layton said. "I think my faith has been very important, crucial for me. Just the prayer really helps, I think."
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