Finding voice, choice and MORE: How women are navigating life after a breast cancer diagnosis
(BPT) - This article is sponsored by Novartis and all participants have been compensated for their time. Mona and Carolyn are KISQALI patients, Amy is a former breast cancer patient, not treated with KISQALI.
Breast cancer changes everything - one in eight women will face it in their lifetime.
In a quiet studio, journalist Amy Robach listens as Carolyn, who is living with metastatic disease, shares what life looks like after the diagnosis. Beside her, Mona, diagnosed with early breast cancer, nods in solidarity, carrying her own fears of recurrence. Their stories are a reminder that life after diagnosis isn't about going back to normal; it's about finding a new way forward.
"I still worry," Mona admits. "But I'm doing everything I can to prevent that from happening." Carolyn nods, knowing worry doesn't vanish; as someone living with breast cancer, you learn to live with it. You learn to take back control, piece by piece.
This is the premise of Voices of MORE™, a YouTube series hosted by Robach, herself an early breast cancer survivor. Each episode dives into real, unfiltered conversations, because hearing others share their fears and wins can make you feel less alone. No matter how breast cancer may touch your life, honest conversations matter.
For many, the medical milestones come with clear steps: biopsies, surgery and therapy. Appointments slow down. Life feels different. Many wonder, "Can I trust my body again? How do I live with fear without letting it steer?"
Risk of recurrence: The reality behind the numbers
Those questions aren't abstract. Breast cancer touches nearly every family. And even after treatment, recurrence is a real concern: research shows more than 1 in 9 people with early-stage breast cancer may face it. Beyond those numbers, there's a deeper truth: 90% of women want to be seen as more than their diagnosis. Behind every statistic is someone navigating what comes next.
For some, that means ongoing treatment to reduce the risk of recurrence. Options include CDK4/6 inhibitors, including KISQALI® (ribociclib), for stage II or III hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer at high risk of recurrence. Others focus on healthy routines, emotional well-being and finding support that makes everyday life feel manageable.
Please see Important Safety Information below.
Voices of MORE brings these topics into the open through real conversations. Across every episode, MORE means voice, control and true stories - not perfection. For Mona, it's admitting fear and still planning a weekend away. For Carolyn, it's asking for help and showing up for milestones that matter.
These aren't sound bites; they're stories of strength and fortitude. Watch the series at VoicesofMORE.com.
Practical next steps
- If you're navigating decisions now: Talk with your oncologist about the risk of recurrence and whether options like CDK4/6 inhibitors could be appropriate for your specific diagnosis and stage.
- If you're seeking community: Bring these episodes to a support group or a friend - use them as conversation starters for the things that are hardest to say out loud.
- If you need more information: Visit Kisqali.com for official prescribing details and important safety information, and review the full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.
What is KISQALI?
KISQALI®(ribociclib) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer:
- in combination with an aromatase inhibitor for stage II and III early breast cancer with a high risk of coming back
- that has gotten worse or has spread to other parts of the body (advanced or metastatic breast cancer) in combination with:
- an aromatase inhibitor as the first endocrine-based therapy; or
- fulvestrant as the first endocrine-based therapy or following disease progression on endocrine therapy
It is not known if KISQALI is safe and effective in children.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
KISQALI may cause serious side effects, including:
Lung problems.KISQALI may cause severe or life-threatening inflammation of the lungs during treatment that may lead to death. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any new or worsening symptoms, including:
- trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- cough with or without mucus
- chest pain
Severe skin reactions.Tell your health care provider or get medical help right away if you get severe rash or rash that keeps getting worse; reddened skin; flu-like symptoms; skin pain or burning, blistering of the lips, eyes, or mouth, blisters on the skin or skin peeling, with or without fever.
Heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation).KISQALI can cause a heart problem known as QT prolongation. This condition can cause an abnormal heartbeat and may lead to death.
- Your health care provider should check your heart and do blood tests before and during treatment with KISQALI
- Tell your health care provider right away if you have a change in your heartbeat (a fast or irregular heartbeat), or if you feel dizzy or faint
Liver problems.KISQALI can cause serious liver problems. Your health care provider should do blood tests to check your liver before and during treatment with KISQALI. Tell your health care provider right away if you get any of the following signs and symptoms of liver problems:
- yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
- dark or brown (tea-colored) urine
- feeling very tired
- loss of appetite
- pain on the upper right side of your stomach area (abdomen)
- bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
Low white blood cell counts (neutropenia).Low white blood cell counts are very common during treatment with KISQALI and may result in infections that may be severe. Your health care provider should check your white blood cell counts before and during treatment with KISQALI. Tell your health care provider right away if you have signs and symptoms of low white blood cell counts or infections, such as fever and chills.
Your health care provider may tell you to decrease your dose, temporarily stop, or completely stop taking KISQALI if you develop certain serious side effects during treatment with KISQALI.
What should I tell my health care provider before taking KISQALI?
Before you take KISQALI, tell your health care provider if you:
- have any heart problems, including heart failure, irregular heartbeats, and QT prolongation
- have ever had a heart attack
- have a slow heartbeat (bradycardia)
- have high blood pressure that is not controlled
- have decreased thyroid gland function (hypothyroidism)
- have problems with the amount of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, or magnesium in your blood
- have fever, chills, or any other signs or symptoms of infection
- have liver problems
- have kidney problems
- are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. KISQALI can harm your unborn baby
- If you are able to become pregnant, your health care provider should do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with KISQALI
- Females who are able to become pregnant and who take KISQALI should use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 3 weeks after the last dose of KISQALI
- Talk to your health care provider about birth control methods that may be right for you during this time - If you become pregnant or think you are pregnant, tell your health care provider right away
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if KISQALI passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with KISQALI and for at least 3 weeks after the last dose of KISQALI
Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take,including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. KISQALI and other medicines may affect each other, causing side effects. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your health care provider or pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
What should I avoid while taking KISQALI?
Avoid eating grapefruit and avoid drinking grapefruit juice during treatment with KISQALI since these may increase the amount of KISQALI in your blood.
The most common side effects of KISQALI in people with early breast cancer include:
- decreased white blood cell counts
- decreased red blood cell counts
- increased liver function tests
- infections
- increased kidney function test
- decreased platelet counts
- nausea
- headache
- tiredness
The most common side effects of KISQALI in people with advanced or metastatic breast cancer include:
- decreased white blood cell counts
- decreased red blood cell counts
- increased liver function tests
- infections
- nausea
- increased kidney function test
- tiredness
- decreased platelet counts
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- headache
- constipation
- hair loss
- cough
- rash
- back pain
- low blood sugar level
KISQALI may cause fertility problems in males, which may affect your ability to father a child. Talk to your health care provider if this is a concern for you.
Tell your health care provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
These are not all the possible side effects of KISQALI. For more information, ask your health care provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800- FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information Including Patient Information.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation has no control over third-party websites linked in this story, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness, adequacy, or any other aspects of the information contained on such websites.
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Source: BrandPoint
