Hope For New Breast Cancer Patients

Happy Holidays! This year has flown by, hasn't it? I can't believe we're already facing 2011! What a very busy year.

As the year comes to a close, we often reflect on what's come our way. While I've had a great year, I'm reminded of all the women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Just in the last week, I've heard from two viewers who got the call, they have breast cancer. My heart goes out to them. Finding a cure to this terrible disease is a marathon; not a sprint. I understand that. But I wish we could say there's a cure. In the meantime, I encourage patients to take each day as it comes.

After the diagnosis comes the anxiety of what happens next? There are doctor's appointments, more testing, maybe surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Some women must decide whether to have a mastectomy or just a lumpectomy. Some will question "why me?" There's no sure answer.

My best advice is to surround yourself with the best team possible. You must have confidence in your team of doctors. If you don't, find a new doctor! Ask questions. It's better medicine if you know why you're taking it. Talk with other survivors. These people have been there, done that and obviously know what you're going through. Listen to their words of encouragement and hold fast to the fact that there are two and a half million breast cancer survivors in the country (that's according to the National Cancer Institute).

My thoughts and prayers go out to all those new patients, to those in the middle of their battle and to the women who've survived! With the New Year just ahead of us, we are in this fight together!

LeAnne Taylor

Breast Cancer Survivor

Six in the Morning Anchor