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. And throughout the highs and lows of Laign’s battle thus far, she’s kept up with her prayers.
- Many women develop breast cancer every year, and the disease is the subject of much research. There are many treatment options out there, but treatment paths depend greatly on the specifics of each case.
- Going through cancer treatment can be a very vulnerable and emotionally exhausting experience, so it can help to have a strong relationship to lean on for support. That being said, it's important to notice what you have strength for and what is feeling like too much during your cancer journey and that includes your relationships.
- Although it's not for everyone, leaning into faith can help cancer warriors stay positive when times get tough.
Good Morning America star and breast cancer survivor Robin Roberts, 61, has been with her partner Laign, 47, for about 17 years. The couple has been together through many highs and lows including Roberts' battle with breast cancer.
Read MoreBut in February, Robin 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 told Entertainment Tonight. "They're working it out. We're gonna figure it out. The prognosis is still very good."
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 recent interview with Ellen Degeneres. "So, I'm doing the same thing for her."
A Prayer from Robin Roberts
One of the ways she supports her partner is through her faith, and she's kept up with her morning prayers throughout Laign's cancer journey thus far. In her most recent prayer post, Roberts talked about holding onto hope when you’re waiting for something to happen.
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“When you have to wait a long time for something, don’t get discouraged for you have not been forgotten,” she said in her video. “The circumstances may tell you it’s never going to happen. But God has something bigger, something better, something you were not expecting.”
She then went on to say that God had something good planned for everyone. So, there was no need to fear about what lies ahead.
“He’s going to do something where not only you, but the people around you are going to be astonished, amazed, overwhelmed at all the goodness that has come your way,” she said. “So, don’t be afraid. Only believe.”
She then concluded her video with a thoughtful prayer.
“Father, thank you. Thank you that no matter what happens in my life, no matter what seems delayed you will do what you have promised,” she said. “Thank you that we can get our hopes up and know that you have something bigger and better than we’ve expected. We will not be afraid we will not let fear keep us from our destiny. We will believe. In Jesus name, amen.”
As she often does, the TV star ended her prayer by pressing a button that lets out a sound of someone's voice likely Laign's.
“Right sweet Amber?” the button said before Roberts said her parting words. “All right now, go out there and have yourself a blessed day and be a blessing.”
Understanding Robin Roberts' and Amber Laign's Cancer
Breast cancer is a common cancer that has been the subject of much research. Many women develop breast cancer every year, but men can develop this cancer too though it is more rare, in part, due to the simple fact that they have less breast tissue.
Screening for breast cancer is typically done via mammogram, which looks for lumps in the breast tissue and signs of cancer. And while mammograms aren't perfect, they are still a great way to begin annual screening. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends women begin mammogram screening for breast cancer at age 45. Even still, we know that a breast cancer diagnosis can come at any age.
When Should I Get A Mammogram?
It's also important to be on top of self breast exams. If you ever feel a lump in your breast, it's important to be vigilant and speak with your doctor. Voicing your concerns as soon as you have them can lead to earlier cancer detection which, in turn, can lead to better outcomes.
There are many treatment options for people with breast cancer, but treatment depends greatly on the specifics of each case. Identifying these specifics means looking into whether the cancerous cells have certain receptors. These receptors the estrogen receptor, the progesterone receptor and the HER2 receptor can help identify the unique features of the cancer and help personalize treatment.
"These receptors, I like to imagine them like little hands on the outside of the cell, they can grab hold of what we call ligands, and these ligands are essentially the hormones that may be circulating in the bloodstream that can then be pulled into this cancer cell and used as a fertilizer, as growth support for the cells," Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, told SurvivorNet in a previous interview.
One example of a type of ligand that can stimulate a cancer cell is the hormone estrogen, hence why an estrogen receptor positive breast cancer will grow when stimulated by estrogen. For these cases, your doctor may offer treatment that specifically targets the estrogen receptor. But for HER2 positive breast cancers, therapies that uniquely target the HER2 receptor may be the most beneficial.
Relationships and Cancer
It's no secret that fighting cancer can be overwhelming, so having physical and emotional support during your battle is crucial. That being said, it's very important to know your limits on what you can handle including relationships during treatment.
"Going through treatment is a very vulnerable and emotionally exhausting experience," licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin wrote in a column for SurvivorNet. "Noticing what you have strength for and what is feeling like too much… [is] extremely important to pay attention to as you navigate treatment."
Dr. Strongin does note, however, that having people by your side during this "arduous chapter" of your life can be hugely beneficial.
"Studies have found consistently that loneliness is a significant risk factor for physical and mental illnesses and the trajectory of recovery," she wrote. "Therefore, it will be important that you surround yourself with individuals who care and support you throughout your treatment."
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For actress and melanoma survivor Jill Kargman, cancer was a true test of the strength for her relationship. In an earlier interview with SurvivorNet, Kargman says the disease "is a great way to find out if you're with the love of your life or a shithead."
Jill Kargman On Relationships And Cancer
"I think it presses the fast forward button on getting to the bottom of that answer, because a lot of people in middle age are kind of at a crossroads, waiting for their kids to fly the coop," Kargman said. "I think if you're with someone who is not supportive and kind of emotionally checked out or doesn't tell you you're still beautiful with that, this might not be your person."
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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