The More You Know, The More You Can Help: Navigating Breast Cancer Together
Elizabeth Carr, MSN, RN, OCN, ACS LION™, Oncology Nurse Navigator, Transcarent
Having seen firsthand the courage of those battling breast cancer, this month is not only a time to honor their strength, it’s a reminder of our responsibility to advance knowledge, equity, and access to high-quality care for everyone impacted by this disease.
I've spent much of my career helping people on their breast cancer journey, but recently it became deeply personal when my sister was diagnosed through a routine mammogram. One in eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in her lifetime and for men, the average lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is about 1 in 726 1. That’s why education and early detection are so critical.
Knowledge Is Power: Why Early Detection Matters
Breast Cancer Awareness Month offers a powerful opportunity for everyone - from clinicians to employers - to raise awareness about the importance of embracing and pursuing recommended screenings so that each person understands their body and can recognize any abnormalities. Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers, and early detection is key.
There are many ways of being proactive and detecting breast cancer:
Know Your Normal: Regular self-exams help you recognize changes. Report any unusual signs to your doctor immediately.
Get Screened: Mammograms are essential they can detect cancer early, even before symptoms appear.
Watch for warning signs:
Swelling or pain in part or the entire breast.
Skin changes: redness, dryness, flaking, or thickening.
Nipple discharge.
Swollen lymph nodes near the armpit or collarbone 2.
How Employers Can Champion Breast Cancer Support
The power of screening is undeniable, but awareness must be matched with access. Employers play a critical role in removing barriers to care by giving their employees easy access to compassionate Cancer Care and fostering a culture of proactive health, which includes Screening Time Off.
Here are a few ways employers can be supportive partners to their people on a breast cancer journey.
Provide Expert Resources: Ensure easy access to expert care and guidance, including high-quality Centers of Excellence, as well ACS LION™ Oncology Nurse Navigators and Certified Nurse Navigators.
Create Awareness: Train staff and managers to navigate sensitive conversations and reduce cancer stigma.
Encourage Open Communication: Create a safe, supportive environment for employees to share cancer-related challenges.
Offer Flexibility: Accommodate time off for treatment and mental health; and clarify benefits like FMLA and disability.
Support Caregivers: Equip caregiver employees with flexible work options, relocation support, and emotional resources.
Screening Notifications: Work with partners who offer push notifications for screening reminders based on recommended age, etc.
Mental Health: Ensure your employees can easily connect to whole-person care on their terms with easy access to compassionate doctors and mental health specialists who understand the cancer journey.
Together, we can create workplaces that prioritize health, encourage early detection, and save lives.
Prioritizing Mental Health and Whole-Person Care
It’s also important to remember that cancer doesn’t just affect the body, it touches every part of a person’s life. Supporting emotional and mental well-being is just as critical as treating the disease itself. Whole-person health means surrounding individuals with care — from clinical teams and therapists to family, friends, and workplaces — ensuring they have the strength and support to heal fully. Research from 2024 reinforces this, showing that anxiety, depression, distress, and PTSD are among the most frequent psychological challenges during the breast cancer journey3.
I'm proud to be part of the Transcarent Cancer Care team as we support and guide our Members facing breast cancer through a comprehensive Care Experience, from screening through survivorship. From the life-changing diagnosis to the final steps of recovery, we walk alongside them every step of the way.
As an ACS LION™ certified Oncology Nurse Navigator and Oncology Certified Nurse, I support and guide our Members through treatment decisions, connecting them with top specialists, and personalized care strategies tailored to their unique needs. When they need quick answers or help navigating their benefits, they can turn to the Transcarent WayFinding™ experience. This experience instantly helps people find answers, take the next step, and get on-demand care from the palm of their hand, empowering them to move forward with confidence on what can be a complex journey.
Building a Future of Compassion, Equity, and Empowerment
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is more than a moment to wear pink, it’s a powerful call to lead with purpose and listen with empathy.
After experiencing this profound journey with my sister, I have a broader perspective of breast cancer’s impact and a deeper commitment to educating others and advocating for early detection.
When we champion inclusive care initiatives, and normalize conversations around mental health and healing, we ignite a movement that turns awareness into lasting impact. Together, we can build a future where no one faces breast cancer alone, and where every journey is met with dignity, support, and hope.
Sources:
1. Team, N. (2025, September 29). Breast Cancer Facts & Stats 2025 - Incidence, age, survival, & more. National Breast Cancer Foundation. https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-facts/
2. Breast cancer Early detection and diagnosis | How to detect breast cancer. (n.d.). American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection.html
3. Fereidouni, Z., Abnavi, S. D., Ghanbari, Z., Gashmard, R., Zarepour, F., Samani, N. K., Sharma, A. R., & Ghasemi, A. (2024). The impact of cancer on mental health and the importance of supportive services. Galen Medical Journal, 13, e3327. https://doi.org/10.31661/gmj.v13i.3327
