Taylor's Successes Amid Family Struggle
- Country-singer-turned-pop-icon, Taylor Swift, 30, was just nominated for 6 Grammy’s for “Folklore.”
- In 2015, the singer went public with the news that her mom, Andrea Swift, was battling breast cancer, and in 2020, she revealed her mom had a brain tumor.
- Treatment for brain tumors may include immunotherapy, surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
Andrea Swift’s Cancer Fight
Swift has chosen to not share much information about her mom’s cancer battle. Andrea Swift had a diagnosis of breast cancer in 2015, and earlier this year, Swift shared that a tumor had been found in her mom’s brain. Related: As Her Mother Battles Brain Cancer, Taylor Swift Begs Fans To Help Curb Coronavirus Spread: 'We Need To Make Social Sacrifices Right NowSwift first opened up about her mom’s initial breast cancer diagnosis in a Tumblr post. She wrote to fans: "I'd like to keep the details of her condition and treatment plans private, but she wanted you to know. She wanted you to know because your parents may be too busy juggling everything they've got going on to go to the doctor, and maybe you reminding them to go get checked for cancer could possibly lead to an early diagnosis and an easier battle. Or peace of mind in knowing that they're healthy and there's nothing to worry about."
Swift and her mom have always been close, and the singer celebrated that closeness this year on Mother’s Day. She shared a video of her as a little kid, and captioned it: “My conversations with my mom have always been and will always be some of my favorite memories – from when I was 10 months old in this video from October 1990 to now talking every day on the phone. Our talks are everything to me. Myyyyyyyy goodness I love you Mom.”
View this post on Instagram
In 2019, the singer revealed her mother was facing breast cancer yet again. And in January 2020 in an interview with Variety, Swift said, "While she was going through treatment, they found a brain tumor. And the symptoms of what a person goes through when they have a brain tumor is nothing like what we've ever been through with her cancer before. So it's just been a really hard time for us as a family."
It’s not uncommon for breast cancer to spread to other parts of the body. This disease can spread to the brain, bones, and vital organs.
When Breast Cancer Spreads to the Bones
Brain Cancer Treatment
Treatment for brain cancer may include immunotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy. Some treatments for brain cancer, like Optune, are able to extend the lifespan of those with brain cancer. A person’s specific prognosis, and the cancer’s progression, typically dictate how the cancer is treated. One brain cancer survivor, Natalie Wells, told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview how she approached her brain cancer. She said, "Take control of the cancer, and kick its ass.”
Wells told SurvivorNet that having a plan in place helps ease the fear. She said, "It's OK to feel sad and scared, but you have to have a plan. What are you going to do? You have to get to your doctor, you have to schedule these things. You have to find something to hold on to, and you have to fight. It's like a boxing match. You're in there, just kicking ass."
Some people tend to be more private and reserved about their or their family member’s cancer battle. Swift has not shared much about her mom’s latest brain cancer battle, but we’ll be thinking of her and her mom, especially during this holiday season a time for loved ones to gather.
Kicking Cancer's Ass One Survivor's Advice for Taking On Brain Cancer
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.