Taylor's New "Love Story"
- Taylor Swift, 31, is currently re-recording her first six albums after the rights to her music were sold in 2019.
- Swift’s mom, Andrea Swift, 63, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, and the singer recorded a song about her mother’s cancer journey, “Soon You’ll Get Better.”
- When coping with the diagnosis of a parent or loved one, therapy can be a helpful resource to process difficult emotions.
Andrea Swift’s Breast Cancer Battle
When Andrea was diagnosed with breast cancer, Taylor shared the news with her fans in 2015. Taylor is beloved by her fans for her open spirit, and so it came as no surprise that she shared her family’s story with her millions of admirers, too.Related: Taylor Swift's Surprise Album "Folklore" Is Pure Joy Amid Mom's Cancer Battle
In 2015, the singer wrote on Tumblr that her mom had been diagnosed with the disease. She wrote: "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."
Andrea’s Tumor
Early last year, Swift told Variety that her mom now had a brain tumor. She shared the discovery of the mass, saying, “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."
Swift hasn’t shared further information about the status of the tumor and whether or not her mom is currently in treatment.
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Screening for Breast Cancer at Home
During the pandemic, some people are avoiding hospitals out of safety concerns. It’s important to continue cancer screenings for COVID-19, whether it’s screening at home, via self-exam, or at the hospital, via mammogram.
Related: It's Important To Continue Cancer Screenings Through COVID-19
Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a Medical Oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering, said in a previous interview, “Breast self-examination is one of the many areas in breast cancer where a woman needs to decide between what makes sense for her and what the recommended guidelines say. If doing breast self-exams is something that works for you, and your doctor agrees, then you should do it.”
Related: When Should I Get a Mammogram?
"When we think about breast cancer prevention and awareness, the first step is that women need to feel comfortable with their breast and know what their breasts feel like normally,” she said. Dr. Comen recommends doing self-exams once a month, after your period.
Getting to Know Your Breasts with Self-Exams
Coping with a Loved One’s Cancer Diagnosis
When a loved one like a parent is battling cancer, it can be difficult to cope with the emotions that may arise. Many people find support in resources like therapy and support groups. Camila Legaspi was in high school when her mom passed away from breast cancer. She said in a previous interview that therapy “saved her life,” and helped her keep perspective.
Related: The Benefit of Support Networks for Cancer Patients
Legaspi said, "Embrace the situation as best as you can because the reality is … that it sucks. I was dealing with some really intense anxiety and depression at that point. It just changed my life because I was so drained by all the negativity that was going on. Going to a therapist helped me realize that there was still so much out there for me … that I still had my family, that I still had my siblings."
Related: A Major Step in the Cancer Journey: Learning to Deal With Vulnerability
"The reality is when you lose someone, it's really, really, really hard. And it's totally OK to talk to someone, and I'm so happy that I talked to my therapist," she said.
"Therapy Saved My Life": After Losing A Loved One, Don't Be Afraid To Ask For Help
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