Navigating Survivorship After Breast Cancer
- Dame Joan Collins, 93, is captivating fans with glimpses from her glamorous French beach getaway, where she recently enjoyed breathtaking scenery, cherished moments with loved ones, and the beauty of the world around her.
- Collins’ sister Jackie Collins passed away approximately 11 years ago, at age 77, after privately battling stage four breast cancer for six years. Their mother also battled the disease.
- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggests women with average breast cancer risk begin screening mammograms once every two years at the age of 40. It’s important to note that women with the BRCA gene mutation, who have a family history of cancer, or have dense breasts are at higher risk and should talk with their doctor about when to begin screening. It may be younger than 40.
- A major health challenge can impact your body physically and emotionally, causing noticeable changes to your appearance. Dr. Marianna Strongin encourages cancer warriors to take ownership of the part (or parts) of their bodies impacted mainly by cancer treatment.
- Remember, it’s never too late to make positive changes. Even small steps can lead to meaningful improvements. Aging is a natural part of life — and the goal isn’t simply to add more years, but to make those years healthier, happier, and more rewarding.
- Check out SurvivorNet’s proprietary AI tool, “My Health Questions,” which provides evidence‑based answers aligned with cancer treatment guidelines and informed by oncologists across multiple specialties.
Collins, who lost her beloved sister, romance novelist and actress Jackie Collins, approximately 11 years ago to breast cancer, took to social media to share photos from her luxurious beach vacation in St. Tropez, in the south of France.
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Fans and followers flooded the comments with praise, calling Collins “fabulous,” “stunning,” and “gorgeous” as they celebrated her timeless beauty and vibrant vacation moments.
One fan commended the TV star for sharing “fabulous family photos” of her “summertime in paradise,” adding, “you still look Stunning. Dame Joan, you positively radiate happiness!”
“Absolutely beautiful photos of you with your friends and family, and of course wonderful Percy! Sending much love as always,” another commented.
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Another fan chimed in, “I’m not usually one for paying much attention to celebrities, but, Joan isn’t a celeb, she’s an iconic actor and beauty and wonderful person. There’s a tiny list of great ladies that I admire, and right now I can only even think Joan and Joanna Lumley.
“Proper women, proper stunning ladies, proper talent, and with their hearts in the right place. I wish Joan good health and happiness for many more years to come. She’s a marvel. Very very special person.”
Collins also shared photos from St. Tropez last month, writing alongside another Instagram post, “Beating the heating in St. Tropez!
When it’s 33C (92F) in the South of France it’s best to rely on hand fans, sunglasses, and lots of water!
“Nevertheless we are having a good time.”
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Remembering Joan Collin’s Sister Jackie, Who Passed Away From Breast Cancer
We’re happy to see Joan Collins thriving after the tragic death of her sister Jackie back in 2015.
Jackie Collins, a best-selling author and mother of two who taught the world about sex and self-indulgence, had passed away from stage four breast cancer after secretly battling the disease for six years. She was 77 at the time of her death.
Surprisingly, her sister Joan Collins only learned the news two weeks before her passing.
Jackie’s death could have been avoided had she not waited more than two years to get a lump in her breast checked. CNN films previously released a documentary commemorating the life of this powerful storyteller with Lady Boss: The Jackie Collins Story, back in 2021.
According to CNN’s documentary, we learned that Joan and Jackie’s mother, Elsa, was a “warm, nurturing angel,” Joan revealed in the film, and Jackie worshipped their mother.
Their mother ultimately was diagnosed with breast cancer, the sisters were instructed by their father to stay quiet about it. “You are not to mention that she has cancer, we don’t use that word. She’s got a virus, she has a bad flu … it was really terrifying how strongly he felt about it.”
Elsa died in 1962. “Cancer was a word in the 1960s you just didn’t say,” Joan said in an earlier interview with Piers Morgan.
Decades later, in 2007, Jackie felt a lump in her breast but chose not to worry about it.
“I’m not dealing with this, because in my mind I decided it was benign,” she told People in an interview just five days before her death.
Despite her mother passing away from breast cancer, Jackie unfortunately followed in the same secretive path and wasn’t proactive about addressing it. She finally agreed to go to the doctor after she was having trouble walking; The cancer had already spread to her bones.
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“Tiffany, you’re going to be so mad at me,” her daughter recalled of her mother finally letting her in on her secret. “I’ve got a lump … in my breast.” Jackie had had it for at least two years.
Jackie intended to live life until the end and thankfully eventually started advocating for women to get checked. It shocked everyone that such a strong woman could allow this to happen to herself. She said she was very sorry, but initially asked her family not to tell anyone, which was like her father all over again.
“I know we’re all told to do it, but some of us are too stupid, and I was one of them,” Jackie had admitted. “That was my choice and maybe it was a foolish one, but it was my choice. Now I want to tell people it shouldn’t be their choice …”
For three months after Jackie passed, her sister Joan cried every day. She recounted her sister’s life as “incredible.”
BRCA Gene Mutations and Breast Cancer
In understanding how women’s risk of breast cancer is heightened if the disease is hereditary, it’s important to understand the role BRCA gene mutations play in breast cancer risk, and what these gene mutations actually are.
For starters, BRCA is two genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2). According to the National Cancer Institute, BRCA1 (BReast CAncer gene 1) and BRCA2 (BReast CAncer gene 2) are genes that produce proteins that work to repair damaged DNA.
The BRCA genes are sometimes referred to as tumor suppressor genes since changes, or mutations, in these genes can lead to cancer.
Everyone is born with two copies of each of the BRCA genes, one inherited from each parent. If either parent carries a BRCA gene mutation, there’s a 50-50 chance the child will carry it as well.
When BRCA1 or BRCA2 have certain mutations, or changes, men and women are at a higher risk level for several cancers, most notably breast and ovarian cancer in women.
According to the National Cancer Institute, 55 to 72 percent of women who inherit a harmful BRCA1 variant will get breast cancer by the time they reach 70 to 80 years old. Similarly, 45 to 69 percent of women who inherit a harmful BRCA2 variant will get breast cancer by that same age.
The percentage of women in the general population who will get breast cancer in their lifetime? About 13 percent.
“If a woman has one of these mutations the genetic BRCA1 and (BRCA)2 mutations, it puts her at basically the highest quantifiable risk for getting breast cancer,” Dr. Elisa Port, a surgical oncologist at Mount Sinai, told SurvivorNet. “We typically say between the 60 (percent) and 80 percent range.”
When Cancer Runs in the Family: Survivor Amy Armstrong On The Importance of Genetic Testing
If you have a family history of cancer, like Jackie and Joan Collins, genetic testing could be one way for you to find out if you have harmful genetic mutations that increase your risk of developing certain cancers. Ask your doctor if genetic testing is right for you.
Dr. Port explained, “We now feel that casting a wider net with genetic testing is probably very prudent because finding out that one has a cancer predisposition gene can definitely change their course, their risk for cancer and what they might want to do about it.”
Embracing Aging Through Body Positivity and Self-Acceptance
From the day we are born, our bodies and minds start to change and grow. This continuous process is, fundamentally, what we call ‘aging.’ Life is a journey filled with countless changes, and aging is an integral part of that journey. Quite often, when we talk about aging, we focus on the physical changes, but it’s also about the evolution of our mental and emotional states.
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SurvivorNet has provided an overview of aging to guide you through this universal process.
Some key points to remember about aging:
- Aging is a natural biological process that affects everyone.
- The experience of aging can vary greatly among individuals.
- While aging comes with some inevitable changes, many aspects of aging are influenced by lifestyle choices and attitudes.
- Aging isn’t something to fear or shy away from—it’s a phase of life that we all share.
If you struggle with self-perception and body image, you should try to look at yourself in a positive light despite how difficult it may be. By practicing body positivity, you can boost your emotional well-being.
Dr. Marianna Strongin, a New York-based licensed clinical psychologist, also has some helpful advice. She encourages people that spending time in front of the mirror can help with body image.
Although “research has found that when looking in the mirror, we are more likely to focus on the parts of our body we are dissatisfied with,” which can cause “a negative self-view and lower self-esteem,” it’s important to look at the parts of your body that you love and the parts of your body that you don’t.
Eventually, Dr. Strongin says, doing so can help you create a more accepting relationship with yourself.
“Body image is both the mental picture that you have of your body and how you feel about your body when you look in a mirror,” she said. “As you allow yourself to spend more time looking at all of you, you will begin having a new relationship with your body.”
It’s important to remember there is no one definition of beauty, and following a health crisis, patients must learn to be proud of who they are and how far they’ve come inside and out.
Healthy Aging Tips
Healthy aging isn’t just about accomplishing medical check-ups or managing illnesses. It’s also about maintaining a high quality of life as you age, keeping your body and mind as robust as possible, and living life to the fullest. SurvivorNet has put together some tips that can help you age healthily:
Physical Activity: Try to incorporate at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise into your daily routine. This could be walking, cycling, swimming—any physical activity you enjoy!
Nutrition: Eat a balanced diet heavy on fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Limiting processed foods, sugars and unhealthy fats can make a big difference in your overall health.
Social Engagement: Stay socially active. Whether it’s attending family gatherings, participating in group hobbies, volunteering, or just catching up with friends, maintaining social connections can significantly enhance your emotional health and well-being.
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Mental Stimulation: Engage in activities that stimulate your mind. This could include reading, doing puzzles, learning a new skill or language, or even playing memory-boosting games.
Regular Check-ups: Don’t forget about your regular medical, dental, and eye check-ups. Prevention is always better than cure!
Sleep: Good sleep is vital for your overall health. Practice good sleep hygiene – keep a regular sleep schedule, make your sleeping environment comfortable and quiet, and try to avoid screens before bed.
Remember, consistency is the key. Building these habits and making them part of your daily routine can potentially slow down the aging process and improve your overall well-being.
Even small steps can have a significant impact, so it’s never too late to start. After all, aging is just another word for living. And our aim should not be to just live longer, but to live healthier and happier.
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer in the past or have a family history of this cancer, you should discuss the genetic aspects of the disease with your physician:
- Do I have genetic mutations that increase my risk of developing breast cancer? Knowing your mutational status can help you manage this risk through diligent cancer screenings or regular physician visits.
- If I do have a genetic mutation, should my children be tested as well? Genetic mutations may make it more likely for your children to develop breast cancer.
- I was tested in the past for genetic mutations, but should I be tested again? New genes that contributed to an increased risk of breast cancer are being discovered day in, day out. Even if you have tested negative for mutations in the past, it may be worth it to get retested for some of the new genetic mutations.
SurvivorNet’s proprietary AI tool, “My Health Questions,” can also support you along the way by providing evidence‑based answers aligned with cancer treatment guidelines and informed by oncologists across multiple specialties.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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