Breast Cancer & Behavioral Health: Supporting Recovery Through Awareness
Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed every October, is a global initiative that promotes early detection, educates the public about risk factors, and supports individuals affected by breast cancer.
- Early Detection
- This includes monthly self-breast exams. Follow link: How to Do a Self-Exam in 5-steps.
- Women who are at average risk of breast cancer should schedule yearly mammograms starting at the age of 40. The most accurate way to find out your individual risk for breast cancer is to consult your primary physician or gynecologist.
- Genetic Risk Factors
- Gender, age, race, family history and genetics, personal health history, menstrual and reproductive history, certain genome change, and dense breast tissue.
- Environmental & Lifestyle Risk Factors
- Lack of physical activity, poor diet, being overweight, alcohol, radiation to the chest, and combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
- Ways to Support
- Participation in Events- Find an event near you
- Donate
Breast Cancer and Substance Use Recovery: Navigating Dual Challenges
Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can be a deeply emotional experience. For individuals in recovery, it may stir up feelings of fear, shame, or anxiety, emotions that can threaten the stability of their sobriety. The stress of treatment, uncertainty about the future, and fear of stigma from healthcare providers can all contribute to emotional distress.
Women who have worked hard to maintain their recovery may worry that the demands of cancer treatment could jeopardize their progress. These concerns are valid and deserve compassionate, trauma-informed responses from care teams. Behavioral health professionals play a critical role in helping clients navigate these overlapping challenges with empathy and support.
Here are a few practical ways to offer support:
- Create a safe space for disclosure: Encourage open conversations about sobriety and treatment concerns.
- Help develop a recovery-informed care plan: Collaborate with clients to build a plan that accommodates both cancer treatment and recovery goals.
- Connect clients to peer support: Refer to community programs or survivorship groups that offer emotional and practical guidance.
- Advocate for trauma-informed care: Ensure oncology teams are aware of the client’s behavioral health history and recovery needs.
- Monitor emotional health: Watch for signs of relapse risk, depression, or anxiety, and provide timely interventions.
Empowerment Through Peer Support and Patient Navigation
Research highlights the powerful role of peer support and patient navigation (PN) in improving outcomes for breast cancer survivors, especially those facing healthcare disparities. When individuals are connected to high-quality, community-based programs that offer consistent guidance and emotional support, they often feel more empowered to take control of their health.
Survivors who receive peer support and effective navigation services report greater confidence, improved emotional resilience, and a stronger sense of agency in their care journey. These services not only bridge gaps in access but also foster trust and reduce feelings of isolation, key factors in both cancer recovery and substance use treatment.
For professionals seeking additional tools and guidance, the following resources, listed at the end of the blog post, offer valuable insights into mental health care and peer support for breast cancer patients.
Call for Integrated, Trauma-Informed Care
As professionals in medical and behavioral health services, it’s essential to approach breast cancer awareness with a lens that includes trauma-informed and integrated care. Supporting individuals through both cancer and recovery requires a holistic understanding of their physical, emotional, and psychological needs.
By recognizing the intersection of breast cancer and behavioral health, we can better support our clients, reduce stigma, and promote healing on all fronts.
While the Tarzana Treatment Centers Learning Portal focuses on continuing education for behavioral health and medical professionals with clients navigating substance use and mental health challenges, we encourage health professionals to explore local partnerships and community programs that support clients navigating cancer care. These may include:
- Hospital-based peer support programs
- Community cancer resource centers
- Behavioral health clinics with integrated oncology support
- Faith-based or culturally specific support groups
For professionals seeking to strengthen their trauma-informed approach, our CEU course Trauma-Informed Care in Practice offers a comprehensive overview of trauma and its impact on long-term health. The training equips participants with tools to recognize and respond to trauma using the Four R’s—Realize, Recognize, Respond, and Resist Re-traumatization—and emphasizes the importance of creating safe, supportive environments. It also explores systemic influences like the Social Determinants of Health and the Pillars of Wellbeing, helping providers integrate compassionate, holistic care into their work.
Additional Resources
- Breast Cancer Mental Health Resources – LA County Department of Mental Health
- Offers guidance on addressing emotional distress in breast cancer patients, including signs of mental health challenges and strategies for support
- CDC: Improving Mental Health Care for People with Cancer
- A provider education toolkit with training simulations and best practices for distress screening and mental health referrals
- American Cancer Society – Resources for Health Professionals
- Includes fact sheets, presentations, and training materials on cancer care, prevention, and survivorship
Sources
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2025
- Breast Cancer Early Detection – National Breast Cancer Foundation
- Risk Factors – National Breast Cancer Foundation
- Maintaining Sobriety During Breast Cancer Treatment – National Breast Cancer Foundation
- Sleiman Jr, M. M., Yockel, M. R., Fleischmann, A., Silber, E., Liu, M., Young, O., Arumani, S., & Tercyak, K. P. (2024). The role of peer support and patient navigation for empowerment in breast cancer survivors: Implications for community cancer control. Sharsheret. https://sharsheret.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/the_role_of_peer_support_and_patient_navigation.2.pdf
- Download: Breast Cancer Resources for Behavioral Health & Medical Professionals
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