20 Breast Cancer Quotes to Inspire Love & Hope

According to  The American Cancer Society, more than 3.8 million women in the United States have a history of breast cancer and 1 in 8 will develop it in their lifetime. Nearly everyone you meet will know someone who has battled the disease. Each person’s breast cancer story is different, which is why we aim to share the stories of those we meet. This is a great way to spread awareness and show that there is hope. Whether you’ve been diagnosed or are caring for someone who was, these breast cancer quotes will inspire and motivate you to spread positivity. 

1. “Once I overcame breast cancer, I wasn’t afraid of anything anymore.” – Melissa Etheridge

2. “We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up or fight like hell.” – Lance Armstrong

3. “She believed she could so she did." R.S. Grey

4. “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says ‘I’ll try again tomorrow.'” – Mary Anne Radmacher

5. “My diagnosis flung me into despair until it hit me: I’m alive.” – Dana Dinerman

6. “When fear knocks, let faith answer the door.” – Robin Roberts

7. "My cancer scare changed my life. I’m grateful for every new, healthy day I have. It has helped me prioritize my life." - Olivia Newton-John

8. "Nothing is predestined: The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings."- Ralph Blum

9. "Cancer is a journey, but you walk the road alone. There are many places to stop along the way and get nourishment - you just have to be willing to take it." - Emily Hollenberg

10. "The pain you feel today is the strength you feel tomorrow. For every challenge encountered there is opportunity for growth.” - Unknown

11. "Love and laughter are two of the most important universal cancer treatments on the planet. Overdose on them.” - Tanya Masse

12. “Tears are the sweat of champions.” - Matshona Dhliwayo

13. “Cancer is WAY too serious to be taken seriously all the time.” - Tanya Masse

14. “I laughed more in the hospital than I ever have in my life, making fun of all the weird things that were happening to me.” - Christina Applegate

15. "I do not feel any less of a woman. I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity.” - Angelina Jolie

Editor’s Note: This quote is especially important to all of our previvors out there. Making the decision to have a preventative mastectomy is not a light one, and you are still part of our community. We are here to support you every step of the way. 

16. “If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.” —Maya Angelou

17. “You know, you do need mentors, but in the end, you really just need to believe in yourself.” —Diana Ross

18. “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” —Angela Davis

19. “Power doesn't have to show off. Power is confident, self-assuring, self-starting and self-stopping, self-warming and self-justifying. When you have it, you know it.” —Ralph Ellison

20. “Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew. They're what make the instrument stretch what makes you go beyond the norm.” —Cicely Tyson

We couldn’t end without a quote from our very own founder of AnaOno, Dana Donofree, “You don’t have to do this alone. Asking for help is part of the story.”