We’ve always felt that the term Breast Cancer ‘Survivor’ doesn’t adequately encapsulate the unmatched and unwavering strength required of those facing breast cancer journeys. Our company was founded by a fearless Breast Cancer Superhero, who was drawn to health coaching because it helped her tap back into her sense of self and health after her diagnosis and treatment, at a time when she needed it most.
Every great Superhero has an amazing sidekick. Health coaches are that supporter for many. They’re there to help inspire early detection, improving survivorship rates. They’re trusted partners through the uncertainties and challenges that accompany a diagnosis – which extends to the physical and mental hurdles. And finally, they’re there after treatment wraps to help their clients redefine health & wellness on their terms. In today’s blog, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we share a bit on how health coaches play this irreplaceable and invaluable role.
Health coaches promote early detection, which is key to higher survivorship rates.
One of the greatest weapons in the fight against breast cancer is early detection. In fact, according to the American Cancer Society the 5-year relative survival rate for breast cancers detected early is 99%. Health coaches make early detection measures a priority – especially among clients who know they have an increased risk for developing breast cancer. When initially getting to know clients, health coaches will ask about their concerns, history and goals so they can ensure programs are reflective of these necessary focus areas. Many times, they might work closely with patient care teams to further identify risks, including for developing different types of breast cancers.
Once they understand potential risks and concerns, health coaches work closely with clients to ensure regular self-exams and necessary imaging is scheduled and completed. They hold clients accountable for these important check-ins that can be potentially lifesaving. Not only that, but health coaches understand these exams can be seriously anxiety-provoking. They meet clients with empathy and work closely together to teach stress-reducing techniques, for example, creating tailored schedules in the lead-up to imaging appointments that stack habits like meditation, movement, and quality sleep, to help manage for anticipated stress in real time. Health coaches are important partners at this stage, which can make a major difference in prognosis for Breast Cancer Superheroes.
Health coaches help clients navigate the uncertainty and challenges that accompany a diagnosis.
Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is earth shattering. It’s physically trying. It’s emotionally challenging. It takes a mental toll that’s impossible to describe. It requires more than doctors and traditional patient care teams have time and resources to provide. This is precisely where health coaches need to intervene. Health coaches serve as a regular sounding board, a real and empathetic person who’s there to listen actively to clients’ experiences and health challenges and meet them with empathy.
Not only this, but health coaches understand that grappling with a diagnosis requires a new approach to health – at a time when making health a priority can make a world of a difference. They work closely with clients to introduce manageable daily habits that ladder up to their evolving health goals and needs. And when these goals need to evolve (which they often do, because a cancer journey is filled with the unexpected), health coaches are always there to help clients adapt. On top of helping clients implement and maintain healthy habits, health coaches help foster resilience through positive psychology, a tool that’s the archnemesis to fear of the unknown. Altogether, health coaches make weathering a breast cancer diagnosis en route to becoming a Breast Cancer Superhero more possible.
Heath coaches enable clients to tap into their inner Superhero, navigating life after treatment.
Our CEO, Marina, was inspired to found YourCoach.Health because of how it helped her tap into her inner Superhero and rediscover her sense of self after her cancer treatment. Everyone’s cancer journey might look a little different, but most would agree that it fundamentally changes who you are – which is why we always like to say it transforms you to a Superhero, not just a Survivor. Health coaches help clients make sense of this journey and collaborate on developing a health-focused future that fits with their understanding of this new self.
Through techniques like motivational interviewing, health coaches get at the heart of what a client’s new health goals are. In fact, many health coaches have years of experience working specifically with Breast Cancer Superheroes (a cohort of contracted YourCoach coaches fit this description) and therefore approach this process with a deep respect and understanding for the type of support that’s needed. Unlike any AI-based ‘coach’, these real health coaches approach sensitive conversations with care, developing a personalized health plan that fits exactly what clients need in that moment and in the future. This is an irreplaceable resource that every Breast Cancer Superhero absolutely deserves to have available.
Employers, are you offering real health coaching to your employees? According to recent stats from the American Cancer society, 300k+ invasive breast cancer diagnoses will be made in 2024. Healthcare is simply and unfortunately not enough to support these employees through the challenges that accompany becoming a Breast Cancer Superhero. Send us a note to team@yourcoach.health to discuss how to deliver health coaching to your employees at the time when it matters most.