The Power of Perspective
- Today contributor Jill Martin, 49, is sharing a positive perspective on her breast cancer treatment, choosing to look at the pills she has to take as a “safety net” and a “best friend fighting with you,” opposed to something scary or negative, which can be a game-changer in coping with the overall experience.
- The New York Times best-selling author and current cover star of PEOPLE Health was first diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in July 2023. In November later that year, Martin was told she is “cancer-free.” But because of her disease type, and how aggressive it is, she must continue a treatment plan as a preventative method since there is a higher risk of her cancer coming back.
- Starting new medication this time around has come with an even brighter outlook for Martin, compared to some feelings of fear she publicly shared last June: Martin had said that she’s “scared for sure” but also insisted her body has been strong and it will “continue to fight.”
- Medical experts tell SurvivorNet that patients who live with a positive perspective like this tend to handle treatment better. This might be due to the reduction in stress level. Stress and anxiety can lead to physical issues, and practicing gratitude can help get both under control.
Martin, a New York Times best-selling author and current cover star of PEOPLE Health, was first diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in July 2023. In November later that year, Martin was told she is “cancer-free.” But because of her disease type, and how aggressive it is, she must continue a treatment plan as a preventative method since there is a higher risk of her cancer coming back.
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She signed of with a “GRATEFUL” in all caps, along with an “XO” to her supporters. “Ps-for those asking, Letrazole [Femara, a hormone therapy drug] is the other medicine I am on.”
Letrazole is a drug in a tablet form used to treat certain types of breast cancer, specifically for post-menopausal women. Martin has shared that she will be on this medication for seven to 10 years, in total.
RELATED: Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer
But as she told PEOPLE in this week’s cover interview: “I’m living life to the fullest,” and the NYC-based fashionista wants to help others do the same. “I want to be there for people.”
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Facing Her Fears
Starting new medication this time around has come with an even brighter outlook for Martin, compared to some feelings of fear she publicly shared last june.
Martin had said that she’s “scared for sure” but also insisted her body has been strong and it will “continue to fight.” At the time, she also shared a similar mindset and advice from her same doctor.
SurvivorNetTV Presents: Breaking the Cycle The Power of Mindset
“These pills are not working to HURT me; they are working to HELP me,” Martin explained. “It is the way I thought about chemo. Instead of making it something that is attacking my body, it is fighting for me to help me battle.”
Jill Martin’s Breast Cancer Journey
After Martin’s July 2023 diagnosis, she underwent a double mastectomy and also had 16 lymph nodes removed, with one coming back cancerous, which is typically why doctors remove so many for safety so that it will not spread.
Next, Martin went through four months of an intense chemotherapy treatment, then radiation for three more weeks.
Finally, she had a preventative surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes, since she had learned she was BRCA2-positive, meaning she had a higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
WATCH: How Testing for BRCA in Breast Cancer Works.
Before Martin’s reconstructive surgery, she wrote a letter to herself to help pump herself up, which can be a useful tool to help shift your mindset and focus on self-love.
“You’ve been through a lot — body, mind, spirit. And somehow… we’re still here,” she shared on Instagram in May. “Still standing. Still fighting. Still finding joy.”
Positive Patients ‘Do Well With Cancer’
Gratitude: what is it and why does it matter? You’ve probably heard the word thrown around here and there when discussing complex concepts. But living with gratitude is quite simple in its meaning.
It means being thankful for what you have and showing appreciation in your day to day life and it can be really helpful for those struggling with mental hardships.
In a previous interview, Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, told SurvivorNet that his patients who live with gratitude tend to handle treatment better because this attitude is one way to stay mentally healthy.
How Can Gratitude Lead to a Healthier Mindset?
One reason this phenomenon is often reported could be due to the reduction in stress level. Stress and anxiety can lead to physical issues, and practicing gratitude can help get both under control.
“The patients who do well with cancer, they live life with that kind of gratitude, but in terms of everything,” he explained. “They’re grateful, not for cancer, but they’re grateful for an opportunity to know that life is finite.”
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, multiple studies have indicated that learning to live with gratitude can lead to more happiness and less stress. One way to exercise gratitude is to take time to think about things you appreciate everyday, and some people find it helpful to write down those things in a journal.
Verzenio: A ‘New Standard of Care’
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has two drugs in the CDK4/6 class for use in patients with some early-stage breast cancers to help prevent recurrence. The FDA approval includes calls for these drugs to be used in combination with endocrine therapy (ET), for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) early breast cancer (EBC) at a high risk of recurrence.
“In breast cancer, we have been prescribing many of the same drugs for so many years. This is definitely going to change the way we treat women with breast cancer in this category,” Dr. Neil Vasan, a medical oncologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, previously told SurvivorNet. “It’s great for patients that this is an option. We all have patients with high-risk disease who need better treatment options.”
Hope for Breast Cancer Patients
How Do CDK4/6 Inhibitors Work?
The CDK4/6 proteins, found in both healthy cells and cancer cells, control how quickly cells grow and divide. In breast cancer, these proteins can become overactive and cause the cells to grow and divide uncontrollably. CDK4/6 inhibitors interrupt these proteins to slow or even stop the cancer cells from growing.
What to Know About CDK4/6 Inhibitors as Breast Cancer Treatment
There are three CDK4/6 inhibitors used to treat breast cancer (early and metastatic disease).
- Ibrance (palbociclib)
- Kisqali (ribociclib)
- Verzenio (abemaciclib)
Which CDK4/6 Inhibitor is Right for You?
Verzenio, Ibrance and Kisqali have not been directly compared to each other in a clinical trial. Still, doctors consider them to work equally well. Your treatment team can help you decide which one is right for your situation. This may depend on factors such as:
- The stage of the breast cancer (early or advanced)
- Treatments you have had in the past, if any
- How quickly the cancer grew after previous treatment
- If you are a woman, whether you are pre-menopausal or post-menopausal
- The side effects associated with each CDK4/6 inhibitor
- Whether you or your treatment team prefer that you take medicine continuously, as you would with Verzenio, or on a three-week on/one-week off cycle (Ibrance and Kisqali)
- Whether your health insurance favors one of the medications over the others
Common Side Effects of CDK4/6 Inhibitors
When determining the right treatment plan, doctors will weigh the risks vs. benefits tailored specifically to your medical situation and cancer type.
“I think it’s really important to say, ‘Look, we have this new medication, here are the benefits, here are the side effects,” Dr. Teplinsky adds. “Then really work through each individual patient about whether it’s something that is going to be right for them.”
Potential side effects include:
- Neutropenia, which is a low count of a type of white blood cell called neutrophils, which helps fight certain infections
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea or upset stomach
- Alopecia, a type of hair loss
- Headache
- Constipation
- Rash
- Cough
Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky, a medical oncologist specializing in breast and gynecologic cancer at Valley Health System, weighed in on the pros and cons of taking a drug like Verzenio.
“[Verzenio] is not the easiest drug in the world to take. Diarrhea is the big one [for side effects], but fatigue, joint pain and low blood counts also,” Dr. Teplinksy told SurvivorNet. “But we know that you can safely reduce the [dosage of the] medication without sacrificing efficacy. And that’s very important.”
In other words, doctors can safely adjust how much of the medication a patient is taking to help lessen the discomfort of the side effects you may be having to help you feel as strong as possible.
Managing Side Effects
Managing the side effects of CDK4/6 inhibitors is crucial for maintaining quality of life during treatment. Here are some strategies that can help:
- Regular Monitoring: Regular blood tests and liver function tests are essential to monitor the body’s response to CDK4/6 inhibitors. These tests help catch any potential issues early, allowing for prompt management.
- Diet and Hydration: Maintaining a healthy diet and staying hydrated can help manage common side effects such as nausea and diarrhea. Small, frequent meals and avoiding spicy or greasy foods may reduce gastrointestinal discomfort.
- Medication Adjustments: If side effects become too challenging, your doctor may adjust the dosage or switch you to a different CDK4/6 inhibitor. Open communication with your healthcare team is vital to finding the right balance.
- Supportive Medications: Medications like anti-diarrheal drugs, anti-nausea medications, and supplements to boost white blood cell counts can help manage side effects and maintain treatment efficacy.
- Physical Activity: Gentle exercise, such as walking or yoga, can help manage fatigue and improve overall well-being. Tailor your activity level to what feels comfortable for you.
- Emotional Support: Speaking with a counselor or joining a support group can provide emotional support and practical advice for managing side effects and navigating treatment.
What To Ask Your Doctor About Breast Cancer Treatment
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may have questions about keeping your strength through treatment. Here are a few questions to help you begin the conversation with your doctor:
- What treatment will I be receiving?
- What side effects are associated with this treatment?
- Are there steps I can take daily to help minimize these side effects?
- What physical activity routine do you recommend for me during treatment?
- Can you recommend a dietician who can help me with healthy eating tips and weight maintenance?
- I’ve been having trouble sleeping. Do you have any treatment recommendations?
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