About Courage to Conquer Cancer

Purpose/Origins

The Courage to Conquer Cancer™ Organization, was created by a breast cancer survivor and her family as a way to give back and help other women recover from breast cancer. The Recovery Tee Shirt was the initial impetus for founding the organization. The post-surgical drain management garment was carefully designed with functionality, comfort, cost effectiveness, and fashion in mind. The organization is committed to excellence in post-surgical patient care with integrity and compassion, while supporting cancer research and patient education.

Our Mission

Courage to Conquer Cancer™, a community health and patient education organization, is dedicated to promoting research, providing patient education, advocating for patients, ensuring quality, cost-effective services and making products available that will promote healing, reduce suffering, and improve post-surgical outcomes for cancer, cardiac surgery, dialysis, and other patients. Providing access to affordable products that aid in post-surgical management is the primary mission, but to be a resource for continued research, education and innovation is central to our mission.  

Target Population Served

All surgery patients who are undergoing treatment for cancer, heart disease, and/ or other health related issues. Primary population served is all surgical patients who require supplies (e.g., drain management Recovery Tee) to promote healing, reduce suffering and improve outcomes during recovery. Secondary targetpopulation is all patients with health-related needs when insurance and other financial resources have been exhausted. Physicians, patient navigators and/or social workers will provide the necessary referrals for such patients. The non-profit charity arm of Courage to Conquer Cancer will provide products (as these are available) to patients in need of financial assistance free of charge, upon referral by medical personnel.

How we are different

Unlike other community health, patient education and medical supply companies, we are a community-minded patient advocacy organization on a mission to transform post-surgical outcomes, with a primary emphasis on cancer patients. We provide support for those families facing an undue financial hardship during post-surgical care (cancer or other health conditions) by providing products free of charge.

 

 

Our Team  

Kandi Stewart, Co-Founder

Kandi Stewart is a wife, mother, teacher, breast cancer patient, soon to be survivor, and a warrior. Although she's still in her own fight, she's willing to fight alongside you, too. With the help of her family, her breast surgeon, and other mastectomy patients, Courage to Conquer Cancer's Recovery Tee went from "I want to give back to the those in the fight" to the mass production line. This allows her to hopefully make a difference in the fight against breast cancer by giving back to others because no one should ever go into battle alone. It is her hope that this might provide some battle gear during the fight and aid in the recovery. The warrior within her was made stronger by the support of the army surrounding her, and now she is willing to join your army to help support the warrior within you.

 
Kandi Stewart
 
Kristi Roberson-James, Co-Founder

Inspired by my loved ones who lost their battle to cancer and those family members (Kandi Stewart) currently in the war, fueled by caffeine, Kristi is the co-founder of Courage to Conquer Cancer™, with a passion for making a difference in cancer care. I am a mom to three boys (Kaden, Tyler & Dalton) looking out at humanity asking, “can’t we make a difference in cancer care?” My hope with Courage to Conquer Cancer™ is to combine my knowledge, past experiences and passion to give back to others in an effective way and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of cancer patients. I am a determined dreamer, perhaps an idealist, on a mission to infinity and beyond to reach a destination beyond human suffering related to cancer.

I have worked as a breast health educator, patient educator, higher education administrator, adjunct professor, consultant, grant writer, and researcher. My titles over the years run the gamut, but I am passionate about using my strengths, skills and past experiences to give back, help others and make a difference in the care of patients. I have three amazing boys and a husband, Cliff James, who spends his days taking care of boys and girls as a passionate pediatrician, his true calling in life.

Our team is willing to join your battle through recovery and to survival. I would like nothing more than have you join our mission to promote breast health education and screening, advocate for patients, contribute to cancer research, ensure quality cancer care in recovery, and diminish suffering from cancer. Let us have the courage to begin conquering cancer.

Deuteronomy 31:6

Breast Cancer Educational Information 

Breast Cancer Facts

In the United States, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women (some kinds of skin cancer are the most common.) Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. (Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death.) For non-Hispanic Black women and Hispanic women, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death.

Based on 2023 data from the American Cancer Society (ACS), 1 in every 8 women (13%) will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their life. For men, the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is 1 in 833 (0.12%). The ACS estimates in 2024, there will be 297,790 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in women and 2800 new cases in men. An estimated 55,720 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) will be diagnosed this year as well.

These numbers are slightly higher than estimates from 2022, which were 287,850 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 51,400 new cases of DCIS among women.

Despite many advances in breast cancer treatment in the past few decades, which have prolonged life expectancy and improved the quality of life of those with the condition, this prevalent disease remains incredibly common, with rising rates of diagnosis among young women.

According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, despite awareness, screening and early detection, "nearly 30 percent of women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer will see their disease metastasize and spread to other organs." That means the cancer cells which originated in the breast can spread to the lungs, bones and brain, a much more severe diagnosis.

Meeting with your healthcare provider to talk about breast cancer diagnosis can be stressful! Arming yourself with information for understanding can empower patients. Gaining knowledge can help you to know what questions to ask. Also, having a caregiver go with you can be helpful. Taking a notepad and pen to jot down important notes may be helpful, too. Here are a few terms to familiarize yourself with  before you go see your health care provider.

Glossary or Commonly Used Cancer Terms

Metastasis: What happens when cancer spreads from its primary site to other areas of the body. It doesn’t happen to everyone with breast cancer, but when it does, it usually invades the bones, brain, liver, and/or lungs.

Biopsy: The removal of tissue or cells that may reveal cancer under a microscope.

BRCA 1 and 2 genes: These are genes (genetic material in the human body) that sometimes show a defect associated with an increased risk for breast cancer. About 1 in 500 women has a mutation in their BRCA genes. Approximately 1 in 500 women carries a BRCA mutation, and those with this mutation may have up to a 70% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.

Breast density: A measure of how much fat tissue is in a breast versus gland and fibrous tissue. It can be harder to detect tumors in dense breasts.

CA 125: A blood test that measures levels of cancer antigen 125 in the body. It can be used to monitor breast and ovarian cancer and detect its recurrence.

CA 15-3: A similar test that is used to monitor breast cancer and its treatment.

Hormone therapy Medication that adjusts hormone levels in the body. It’s often used to treat patients with reproductive cancers.

Lymphedema Swelling and fluid retention (usually in the limbs) that may develop when lymph nodes are damaged by surgery, cancer, or cancer treatments.

Mastectomy Surgery to remove part or all of the breast(s). It may be followed by a reconstruction that reshapes or recreates breast tissue.

Mammogram A special kind of X-ray test that looks for signs of breast cancer.

Below are some questions you can use to help guide your discussions with your health care provider. Breast cancer symptoms:

What are the most common symptoms? 

Can breast cancer be asymptomatic?

When should I go to the ER or call your office?

Risk factors:

What can cause breast cancer?

Do I have the breast cancer gene?
Should I get surgery if I do?

Could I pass the gene on to my children? 

Should other family members get tested? 

Diagnosis:

What cancer tests do I need? 

Are there different types of breast cancer?

Which type of breast cancer do I have? 

How is breast cancer graded? 

What grade is my cancer? 

Can the grade change over time? 
Treatment: 

What are the side effects of my medication? 

Will I need surgery? 

Could my cancer return after remission? 

Are there any further tests or screenings I’ll need?

 

Below are some cancer service organizations that provide educational information related to breast cancer. Many of these websites provide both detailed and easy-to-understand information for newly diagnosed patients, metastatic patients and survivors.

https://www.cdc.gov/breast-cancer/statistics/index.html#:~:text=Breast%20cancer%20is%20the%20second%20most%20common%20cancer,cancer%20is%20the%20leading%20cause%20of%20cancer%20death.%29

 

FOR TREATMENT STANDARD INFORMATION

SCIENTIFIC STUDIES RELATED TO BREAST CANCER

 Below are some hyperlinks to access some of the most-cited articles related to breast cancer.

 

Breast Cancer Facts

In the United States, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women (some kinds of skin cancer are the most common.) Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. (Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death.) For non-Hispanic Black women and Hispanic women, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death.

Based on 2023 data from the American Cancer Society (ACS), 1 in every 8 women (13%) will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their life. For men, the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is 1 in 833 (0.12%). The ACS estimates in 2024, there will be 297,790 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in women and 2800 new cases in men. An estimated 55,720 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) will be diagnosed this year as well.

These numbers are slightly higher than estimates from 2022, which were 287,850 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 51,400 new cases of DCIS among women.

Despite many advances in breast cancer treatment in the past few decades, which have prolonged life expectancy and improved the quality of life of those with the condition, this prevalent disease remains incredibly common, with rising rates of diagnosis among young women.

According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, despite awareness, screening and early detection, "nearly 30 percent of women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer will see their disease metastasize and spread to other organs." That means the cancer cells which originated in the breast can spread to the lungs, bones and brain, a much more severe diagnosis.

Meeting with your healthcare provider to talk about breast cancer diagnosis can be stressful! Arming yourself with information for understanding can empower patients. Gaining knowledge can help you to know what questions to ask. Also, having a caregiver go with you can be helpful. Taking a notepad and pen to jot down important notes may be helpful, too. Here are a few terms to familiarize yourself with  before you go see your health care provider.

Glossary or Commonly Used Cancer Terms

Metastasis: What happens when cancer spreads from its primary site to other areas of the body. It doesn’t happen to everyone with breast cancer, but when it does, it usually invades the bones, brain, liver, and/or lungs.

Biopsy: The removal of tissue or cells that may reveal cancer under a microscope.

BRCA 1 and 2 genes: These are genes (genetic material in the human body) that sometimes show a defect associated with an increased risk for breast cancer. About 1 in 500 women has a mutation in their BRCA genes. Approximately 1 in 500 women carries a BRCA mutation, and those with this mutation may have up to a 70% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.

Breast density: A measure of how much fat tissue is in a breast versus gland and fibrous tissue. It can be harder to detect tumors in dense breasts.

CA 125: A blood test that measures levels of cancer antigen 125 in the body. It can be used to monitor breast and ovarian cancer and detect its recurrence.

CA 15-3: A similar test that is used to monitor breast cancer and its treatment.

Hormone therapy Medication that adjusts hormone levels in the body. It’s often used to treat patients with reproductive cancers.

Lymphedema Swelling and fluid retention (usually in the limbs) that may develop when lymph nodes are damaged by surgery, cancer, or cancer treatments.

Mastectomy Surgery to remove part or all of the breast(s). It may be followed by a reconstruction that reshapes or recreates breast tissue.

Mammogram A special kind of X-ray test that looks for signs of breast cancer.

Below are some questions you can use to help guide your discussions with your health care provider. Breast cancer symptoms:

What are the most common symptoms? 

Can breast cancer be asymptomatic?

When should I go to the ER or call your office?

Risk factors:

What can cause breast cancer?

Do I have the breast cancer gene?
Should I get surgery if I do?

Could I pass the gene on to my children? 

Should other family members get tested? 

Diagnosis:

What cancer tests do I need? 

Are there different types of breast cancer?

Which type of breast cancer do I have? 

How is breast cancer graded? 

What grade is my cancer? 

Can the grade change over time? 

Has my cancer spread or metastasized? 

Treatment: 

What are the side effects of my medication? 

Will I need surgery? 

Could my cancer return after remission? 

Are there any further tests or screenings I’ll need?

Below are some cancer service organizations that provide educational information related to breast cancer. Many of these websites provide both detailed and easy-to-understand information for newly diagnosed patients, metastatic patients and survivors.

https://www.cdc.gov/breast-cancer/statistics/index.html#:~:text=Breast%20cancer%20is%20the%20second%20most%20common%20cancer,cancer%20is%20the%20leading%20cause%20of%20cancer%20death.%29

 BREAST CANCER TREATMENT INFORMATION

SCIENTIFIC STUDIES RELATED TO BREAST CANCER

 Below are some hyperlinks to access some of the most-cited articles related to breast cancer.