Roberts Says: Have Hope
- Breast cancer survivor and thriver Robin Roberts shared some amazing words of encouragement today for those who are going through tough times, such as a cancer battle.
- Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and treated it with surgery.
- Focusing on positivity, hope, and faith through cancer can positively impact your experience.
She tells fans and followers in her latest video, “In tough times when life doesn't make sense, when your prayers aren’t answered, the question is: Do you have your anchor of hope down? When you're anchored to hope, it’s as though you’re tied to it.”
Read MoreView this post on InstagramShe continues, “Or have you pulled up your anchor and now you’ve drifted into doubt?…Put your anchor back down! Faith is the substance of things hopeful…You have to believe that you will accomplish your dreams. You will meet the right people. You will live healthy and whole.”
Robin’s Cancer Battle
In 2007, Robin was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she went through her cancer battle publicly, raising awareness around breast cancer in the process. The GMA host also had to have a bone marrow transplant to treat her MDS, which is a rare type of blood cancer.
Related: Preparing For A Stem-Cell Transplant
Roberts discovered her breast cancer at work. She was preparing for a news story about the need for early detection for breast cancer, and she performed a self-check at home. While doing an exam on herself, Roberts discovered a lump. She treated her breast cancer with surgery. Breast cancer can also be treated with radiation and chemotherapy.
Related: Getting to Know Your Breasts with Self-Exams
Women aged 45 to 54 with an average risk of breast cancer should get mammograms annually. Women with an elevated risk of breast cancer i.e., those with a family history of the disease should start screening earlier.
When Should I Get a Mammogram?
Hope & Faith through Cancer
As Roberts says, having an attitude of hope and faith during difficult times, such as a cancer diagnosis, can really buoy your spirits and keep you focused on the good. Focusing on the positives while battling cancer can make a difference.
Related: Stay Positive, It Matters
In an earlier interview, ovarian cancer survivor Beverly Reeves stresses how critical it is to have supportive, loving energy guiding you during your cancer battle. She talks about how her faith community was integral to her journey, too.
Reeves tells SurvivorNet, “f I had one piece of advice for someone who had just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it would be to get a strong support group together. Get your close friends. If you’re connected to a faith community, get your faith community.”
“Get your family,” says Reeves. “Let them know what’s going on and let them help you. And sometimes that’s the most difficult thing to do, but just know that they are there. If they love you, they’re there to help you. And don’t be embarrassed.”
She continues, “Because this is a cancer that not a lot of people want to talk about. But it’s real and we need to talk about it, and we do need that help. So talk to your family and your friends and your faith community, and get that network together so they can support you and be there for you.”
'Faith, Family, and Friends' Helped Beverly Reeves Get Through Ovarian Cancer Treatment
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