Breast cancer patients and survivors are speaking out on how the treatment landscape is setting them up to not just survive, but thrive.

A recent report from the American Cancer Society (ACS) shows that although cases are still rising — particularly among younger women and groups such as Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders — mortality rates are dropping. 

Since 1989, the rate of breast cancer deaths has declined 44%.

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Younger women under 50 saw a 1.4% increased rate of breast cancer year over year, while the latter groups faced 2-½ times the number of diagnoses, the report revealed.

The rise of breast cancer diagnoses is partly due to an uptick in risk factors, such as obesity and exposures to alcohol and ultra-processed foods, according to Karen Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society in Pennsylvania.

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It’s not all bad news, she told Fox News, as a “survivor tsunami” is on the horizon.

“We have almost 19 million cancer survivors now in the United States,” Knudsen said. “And with the new advances in cancer treatment, we’re going to see even more survivors.”

Relieving cancer’s financial burden

More than half of cancer patients and survivors say they’ve taken on medical debt, according to the ACS. 

A majority weren’t prepared for the costs, with 73% saying they are concerned about their ability to pay current or future health care expenses. 

Three in five people who are diagnosed with cancer face financial hardships, such as taking unpaid leave, losing health insurance or losing a job, the report found. 

Woman undergoes breast ultrasound for preventive breast cancer care

More programs, clinics and workplaces are offering financial relief and services to help ease the burden on breast cancer patients and survivors, including temporary housing. 

One survivor, Shannon Barette, told Fox News that she owes much of her successful battle against bilateral breast cancer to Hope Lodge, an ACS community that provides housing for cancer patients and their caregivers in various locations across the country.

“We need a community to help every breast cancer survivor get the treatment they need.”

When Barette faced struggles with her physical and mental recovery, Hope Lodge made it possible for her to receive treatment at NYU and overcome the associated financial burdens, she said.

“Women need to focus on their treatment and recovery,” Barette told Fox News. 

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“We need a community to help every breast cancer survivor get the treatment they need. And they are entitled to world-class medicine. That should not be held back because of any kind of financial burden.”

After going through almost 2-½ years of treatment — including immunotherapy, chemotherapy and reconstructive surgery — Barette was declared cancer-free.

“Too many women face the added pressure of having to find a way to pay big bills while fighting for their lives.”

Most breast cancer patients rely on employer-sponsored coverage. 

When Fox Business correspondent Gerri Willis learned she had stage 3 breast cancer eight years ago, her employer provided her with the health insurance coverage she needed to undergo treatment without experiencing financial setbacks. 

“The diagnosis hit me hard, but I didn’t have to worry about being able to afford treatment,” Willis told Fox News.

Woman undergoes mammogram

“My employer had great health insurance coverage, and I was never forced to choose between paying a bill and getting treatment — but I was one of the lucky ones,” she went on.

“Too many women face the added pressure of having to find a way to pay big bills while fighting for their lives.”

Some employer plans offer case managers to help employees work through paying the bills and out-of-pocket costs, Willis noted.

For those who don’t have coverage, there are independent and government programs to help fund cancer essentials, from treatment to transportation. 

For those who don’t have coverage, there are independent and government programs to help fund cancer essentials, from treatment to transportation. 

Helping women build confidence

Coinciding with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, some clinics are offering complimentary laser tattoo removals for survivors who have radiation markings. 

“They’ve gone through a huge journey that has been very sad, and now they want to feel comfortable in their own skin, whether it’s in clothing or in bathing suits,” Dr. Kevin Tehrani, a surgeon at Aristocrat Plastic Surgery located in New York, told Fox News. 

“The removal process takes them to the next level of confidence and helps them move past the dark part of the journey.”

— Dr. Kevin Tehrani, Plastic Surgeon

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“The removal process takes them to the next level of confidence and helps them move past the dark part of the journey.”

Dr. Tehrani and his team usually spend three to four sessions removing the tattoos until they are completely eradicated. 

Earlier this month, the clinic removed four to five radiation marks from survivors.

Most survivors did not even realize they could have the markings removed, the doctor noted.

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Dr. Tehrani also offers free screenings for breast cancer survivors who receive silicone implants, which is the majority of patients who opt for reconstructive surgery. 

Although the screening is typically covered by insurance in most states, the clinic is enhancing the service with their ultrasonographic technologies.

Rucking, a fitness activity that’s growing in popularity, is much simpler than it might sound.

Inspired by a military training exercise, it involves walking while carrying a heavy load — usually in a backpack — to reap a number of health benefits.

As the weather cools down, adding weight to your fall walk or hike can enhance your workout, fitness experts say.

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Retired Army Green Beret Jason McCarthy started his Florida-based company, GORUCK, based on the technique he learned in the service.

The company has conducted more than 10,000 live rucking events since 2010, according to its website, and there are more than 500 independently owned GORUCK clubs around the world.

In an on-camera interview with Fox News Digital, the CEO called rucking “really simple,” as it only requires putting weight in a backpack or “rucksack” and walking.

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“It’s carrying weight,” he said. “Rucking is the foundation of special forces training — or any infantry training, for that matter.”

“You pick up weight, things are heavy – ammunition and weapons and mortars and food and batteries and radios … and you have to transport that, so you’re rucking it.”

Rucking has been linked to a number of health benefits, experts say. (GORUCK)

The concept of rucking goes all the way back to the hunter-gatherer days, McCarthy noted.

“The original rucksack was whatever animal you brought back to the tribe to eat for dinner and someone had to put that on their back and carry it,” he said.

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“Humans are uniquely built to carry like that, so this is not some fad, it’s not some exercise machine. It’s something we’re innately built to do.”

Rucking can be considered “cardio for people who hate cardio,” McCarthy said, as it allows people to increase their heart rate without exerting too much energy.

“This is not some fad … it’s something we’re innately built to do.”

The activity is also much lower-impact than other exercises like running, and it can be scaled back depending on how much weight is added, he noted.

“It’s really accessible to all,” McCarthy said. “Go out and be more active.”

Rucking is “highly accessible,” a fitness trained said, as it can be done “almost anywhere … on trails, in the city or even on a treadmill.” (GORUCK)

McCarthy recommends that first-time ruckers “add a little weight, add a little challenge to your life — 10, 20, 30 pounds — and just sort of carry it around.”

An additional challenge is to ruck while walking the dog or pushing the kids in a stroller, he said, with some added weight in a backpack.

Maximizing rucking results

In a separate conversation with Fox News Digital, celebrity personal trainer Kollins Ezekh confirmed that rucking can enhance cardiovascular endurance, strengthen muscles and improve posture.

Rucking engages the core, back, legs and shoulders, providing a “full-body workout” without high impact on the joints, according to the Los Angeles-based trainer.

Rucking engages the core, back, legs and shoulders, providing a “full-body workout” without high impact to joints. (GORUCK)

“Rucking is also a calorie burner, making it a great option for those looking to shed weight,” he said. “It’s simple, requires minimal equipment and can be scaled up by adjusting the weight.”

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Ezekh has recommended rucking to his personal training clients, especially those seeking a low-impact cardio option.

Using proper footwear and technique are key to minimizing risks, a trainer said. (iStock)

“Clients who have incorporated it into their routines have reported increased endurance, [as well as] improved posture and strength, particularly in their core and back,” he told Fox News Digital.

“It also adds variety to their workouts and complements other forms of exercise like running or strength training.”

Rucking without risks

Although it can be an effective workout, Ezekh cautioned that improper rucking technique can come with risks.

“Carrying too much weight or not distributing it evenly can lead to poor posture, strain on the lower back or joint issues,” he said, noting that it’s best to start with a lighter load and slowly increase the weight.

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“The key is to progress gradually and stay mindful of form, ensuring long-term sustainability without injury,” he advised.

Rucking encourages people to move more, while adding a little more challenge to a basic walk, the expert said. (GORUCK)

Proper footwear and technique are also key to minimizing risks, Ezekh said, ensuring that the weight is balanced and preventing unnecessary strain.

The activity can be modified to meet almost any fitness level, the trainer noted – yet older adults should consult with a health care provider before trying it.

The imminent presidential election is having an impact on Americans’ mental health.

A recent national survey by AMFM, a residential mental health treatment system based in California, analyzed the anxiety levels of 2,000 Americans during an election year.

Nearly 22% of the respondents reported that election coverage was having a negative effect on their mental health.

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Navigating misinformation (57%) and “doom and gloom” messaging (56%) were identified as key stressors, as well as concern about the election’s aftermath (54%) and worry that their candidate of choice would not win (42%).

Overall, 30% of respondents reported increased anxiety related to the election, 22% said they felt overwhelmed and 18% experienced anger.

Almost 53% said they avoid election-related conversations to prevent anxiety.

More than 73% of respondents have not sought support for election-related anxiety – and don’t plan to, they said.

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AMFM concluded that it is crucial for individuals to “seek balance, limit their exposure to anxiety-inducing content, and consider seeking support when needed.”

Another survey by LifeStance Health – a mental health care network headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona – found that the presidential election is a “significant source of stress and anxiety” for Americans.

In one survey, respondents indicated that navigating misinformation (57%) and “doom and gloom” messaging (56%) were key stressors, as well as concern about the election’s aftermath (54%) and worry that the preferred candidate would not win (42%). (AP Images)

The survey, which polled over 1,000 Americans online in August 2024, found that 79% of people experience election anxiety.

Younger Americans are more likely to be affected, the results showed, including 64% of Gen Z and 54% of millennials.

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More than half (57%) of respondents said they think about the election daily, while 31% said they think about it multiple times a day.

Meanwhile, 44% of Gen Zers have postponed major milestones in their lives such as moving, going to college, getting married or having kids because of anxiety about the political climate.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents speak with therapists about politics and the election, the LifeStance survey found. (iStock)

This anxiety is also driven by friends and family, as 44% of respondents said political or election-related discussions have led to conflicts.

More than two-thirds (72%) of respondents said social media and other news coverage contribute to their election anxiety, while 34% admitted to unfollowing or blocking a friend or family member on social media due to their political views.

Alleviating election anxiety

Some mental health experts refer to political-related anxiety as “election stress disorder,” according to MK Clarkin, a licensed clinical social worker and executive clinical director at LifeStance Health in St. Louis, Missouri.

“People often report increased anxiety, depression, trouble focusing and more,” she told Fox News Digital. “Feeling a deep sense of losing control over personal lives understandably creates a sense of distress for many people.” 

Voters make their selections at voting booths on Oct. 17, 2024, in Hendersonville, North Carolina. (Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

Experts shared a few coping methods to help keep your mental health in check through the election.

6 tips to calm down

1. Practice grounding techniques

Christina Kayanan, a licensed therapist in California and executive director of AMFM, suggested practicing grounding techniques, such as the 5-4-3-2-1 method, to help bring your focus away from worrying about the future and back to the present.

An expert encouraged building a self-care routine and practicing grounding techniques to reduce anxiety. (iStock)

“In this exercise, you acknowledge five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell and one thing you can taste,” she shared with Fox News Digital. “Grounding can disrupt anxious thought patterns and restore a sense of control.”

2. Build a self-care routine

Building a self-care routine, including mindfulness, meditation, exercise and deep breathing, can help calm the nervous system, according to Kayanan.

“A routine helps structure your day, giving you something predictable to rely on,” she said. “Even small, consistent habits, like journaling or taking short walks, can make a significant difference in managing anxiety.”

3. Challenge unhelpful thoughts

Unhelpful thoughts can include “all-or-nothing” thinking and catastrophizing a situation, which Kayanan noted can intensify anxiety.

People should edentify these thought patterns and challenge them with “evidence-based thinking,” the expert suggested.

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“Ask yourself, ‘What evidence do I have for this thought? Is there another way to look at this situation?’” she advised. 

“By reframing anxious thoughts, you can reduce their emotional impact and regain a sense of balance.”

4. Limit caffeine and alcohol

Both substances can make anxiety symptoms worse by overstimulating the nervous system and impairing our “natural ability” to manage stress, according to Kayanan.

Alcohol and caffeine can make anxiety symptoms worse by overstimulating the nervous system, experts warn. (iStock)

Reducing these substances could help decrease physical anxiety symptoms and help maintain a “more balanced emotional state,” the expert said.

5. Set healthy boundaries

Kayanan promoted setting clear boundaries in relationships, work or social settings to reduce anxiety.

This might include saying no in certain situations, delegating tasks and setting limits on social media to prevent overstimulation and burnout.

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These boundaries can also apply to election-related content, which Clarkin advised people to “be selective” about.

“Don’t be afraid to set boundaries around your digital consumption — set a ‘screen time’ limit, mute or unfollow accounts that share harmful content, and fact-check sources,” she advised.

“Most people do not post political content with the intention of having their minds changed via dialogue,” one expert said about engaging in social media discussions. (iStock)

Clarkin also discouraged engaging in political discussions on social media.

“Most people do not post political content with the intention of having their minds changed via dialogue,” she said. 

“So your energy is better spent on something else.”

6. Try progressive muscle relaxation

Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a method that involves tensing and slowly relaxing different muscle groups “from your toes to your head,” Kayanan said.

The technique can help relieve physical tensions associated with anxiety, while increasing awareness of where you might be holding stress in your body.

“Practicing PMR can lead to greater relaxation and reduce overall anxiety levels by promoting a connection between body and mind,” she said.

Those who experience worsening anxiety or ongoing anxiety should reach out to a medical professional for help.