Thriving Beyond the Diagnosis: Life After Breast Cancer

Cancer Survivorship 

More and more people are surviving cancer, and experiencing life after treatment.

• As of January 1, 2025, about 1 out of every 18 Americans (around 18.6 million people) is a cancer survivor. 
• By 2035, that number is expected to grow to more than 22 million,¹ with about 5.3 million breast cancer survivors by 2035. That is almost 1 million more survivors than today. ¹

As more people survive cancer, they are learning what life looks like after treatment.

Emotional and Spiritual Growth 

Life after breast cancer is different for everyone. Many survivors may feel a mix of relief, fear, gratitude, and hope.

Although breast cancer can affect a person’s quality of life, some people report positive changes after treatment. Survivors may develop a stronger sense of faith or spirituality. Many say they feel more hopeful and find greater joy in everyday life.²

Many women also build meaningful relationships and connect with people they might not have met otherwise. Others make important life changes, such as focusing more on family, health, and personal goals.²

Fertility and Family Planning

Breast cancer treatment can affect fertility, hormones, and menstrual cycles. Because of this, many survivors have questions about pregnancy and family planning after treatment.³

Some chemotherapy drugs can stop regular menstrual periods. This is called amenorrhea. In one study of over 1,000 women ages 20-35 who had cancer, almost 32% stopped having periods during treatment. Within two years after treatment, 70% of those women began having periods again.⁴

Some women choose to preserve or freeze their eggs before treatment, which may allow them to try to become pregnant later.³

Hormone Therapy and Pregnancy

For women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, hormone therapy is often recommended for 5 to 10 years after first treatment. ³

Women who want to have children during this time are often advised to take hormone therapy for at least two years before, then pause it a few months before trying to become pregnant. After the baby is born, hormone therapy can usually begin with guidance from a doctor.³

Breastfeeding After Treatment

Women who have had breast surgery or radiation may have trouble breastfeeding from the treated breast. They may produce less milk, feel uncomfortable during feeding, or the baby may have trouble latching.³

Even with these challenges, many women are still able to breastfeed successfully, either from one breast or both.³

Life after breast cancer is a journey. While there may be challenges, many survivors continue to grow, build meaningful relationships, and create hopeful futures. If you are a survivor, know that you are not alone — support and guidance are available every step of the way.. 

References

1. American Cancer Society. Cancer treatment & survivorship facts & figures 2024-2025. American Cancer Society; 2024. Accessed March 2, 2026, from https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics/survivor-facts-figures.html
2. Susan G. Komen. Quality of life. Susan G. Komen®. Updated August 23, 2024, from Accessed March 2, 2026. https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/survivorship/health-concerns/quality-of-life
3. American Cancer Society. Pregnancy and breastfeeding after breast cancer; hormone therapy for breast cancer. American Cancer Society. Accessed March 2, 2026, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/living-as-a-breast-cancer-survivor/pregnancy-after-breast-cancer.html and
   https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/treatment/hormone-therapy-for-breast-cancer.html
4. MedicineNet. Amenorrhea and chemotherapy effects. MedicineNet. Updated May 22, 2025. Accessed March 2, 2026, from https://www.medicinenet.com/amenorrhea/article.htm