Breast cancer was never a concern for Barbara Pate Glacel, Ph.D., an executive coach, organizational consultant and author from Oak Hill, Va. It didn't run in her family, she had regular yearly mammograms with negative results, and she was the picture of good health – or so she thought.

"I didn't even question the doctor at an annual physical I had in October 1996 when he told me that I did not need a mammogram," says Glacel. "My last mammogram, just 15 months prior, had been negative." The doctor told Glacel that women between the ages of 40 and 50 were now having mammograms only every two years, so he performed a manual breast exam and that was that. The doctor was not Glacel's regular doctor, but she trusted his judgment. He also prescribed a mild diuretic for her slightly-elevated blood pressure.

When she arrived back home in Belgium, where she and her husband resided, she found a physician to follow her progress on the new blood pressure medication. "He gave me a modified physical and looked over the earlier results," says Glacel. "He then asked why I didn't have my annual mammogram." Eight years earlier, Glacel had begun natural menopause at the age of 39 and was placed on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medications.

"The doctor was appalled," says Glacel. "Considering that breast cancer is estrogen-dependent, he had explained my age was less important than the fact that I had been on HRT for so long. He ordered an immediate mammogram."

After an anxious three-day wait for the results, the doctor called Glacel with the news. "The report indicated that I had invasive ductal cancer with one confirmed site and one suspicious site," says Glacel. "The pathologist recommended an immediate mastectomy."

On Monday, January 6, 1997, Glacel underwent surgery. Just five days later, the pathology report came back showing more cancer – and more surgery followed. After many struggles, she underwent chemotherapy, and just two years later, she felt like she had weathered the storm and decided to share her journey with others. It was then that she wrote her memoir, Hitting the Wall: Memoir of a Cancer Journey.

Take Charge
Over 180,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, yet each one will feel alone, afraid and at a loss when faced with such a devastating diagnosis. Glacel wrote her memoir in hopes of encouraging and empowering women to take control of the difficult aspects of their treatment and recovery and to remind them that they are not alone.

"When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I knew very little about the subject," says Glacel. "If you receive the same devastating diagnosis, don't hesitate – take charge. Being in charge puts you on the road to recovery."

Glacel shares her tips on ways to help women face the road from diagnosis to recovery and beyond.

Ten Ways Women Can Take Charge of Their Lives During Breast Cancer

1. Learn as much as you can about your type of breast cancer and the treatment options.
2. Interview your doctors and make your own decisions.
3. Build your own support group.
4. Tell people what you need.
5. Spend time with people in pleasant places.
6. Find reasons to laugh.
7. If you are having chemotherapy, cut your hair first.
8. Exercise your affected arm and your whole body.
9. Take stress out of your life.
10. Pamper yourself.

"Although breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women from 40 to 55 years old, there are so many women who get breast cancer who survive it," says Glacel. "I think it is important to focus on survival and to realize that breast cancer is not a death sentence. Doing things to help ourselves take charge also helps us increase the odds for survival."

Cancer survivors can fight back. Attitude and information are key components to successfully walking the road to recovery. Knowledge is power. Learning about your cancer empowers you, ultimately reducing stress as the fear factor is replaced by the facts.

"A positive outlook promotes healing," says Glacel. "Since medicine is an art as much as a science, and doctors don't always agree, it's important for the patient to be in control and take charge of her life."

Glacel found herself finding ways to laugh, saying there is nothing better than a belly laugh to heal you. "My daughter and I watched old home movies together and laughed at the antics of the children when they were small," she says. "Even slapstick comedy provides a mental break from thinking about cancer and allows pure delight."

By maintaining a positive attitude, Glacel finds that it becomes acceptable for others to join in the journey. "Friends supported my efforts at humor by sending e-mail jokes and funny stories, so I had several laughs a day," she says. "My e-mail support group held contests for the top 10 reasons to have cancer or to be bald."

At a time when you are focusing all your thoughts on recovery, it is important to remember not to include more stress in your everyday life. It's time to concentrate on taking care of "you." Do only those things that nurture your body and soul.

"Let's face it, it is hard to feel beautiful with scars, a missing breast, radiation burns or baldness," says Glacel. "Spend time pampering yourself as often as possible. Get a weekly massage, manicures or pedicures. Go to a makeup specialist and learn how to change your makeup when you lose your eyelashes."

There are so many resources available for women diagnosed with breast cancer. The American Cancer Society is a great place to start. Their Look Good...Feel Better program offers free beauty consultations.

Glacel points out the importance of asking for help. People – family, friends, co-workers – all want to help, and all you have to do is ask. It is important for survivors to have a network of support. Some of that support will come from personal contacts, as in family or friends, but it is equally important to connect with other cancer survivors during this time of recovery. This is one of the best ways to take charge of your life and move past the fear.

"Breast cancer is the ultimate nightmare that all women fear," says Glacel. "Unfortunately, the nightmare turns to reality for all too many of us. But with support of others and a positive attitude, a woman can traverse the cancer journey with hope of a better life ahead."

Life on the Other Side
It's been six years since Glacel's diagnosis. Today she says she is an entirely different person. "By gaining knowledge and control of my disease, I could envision a light at the end of the journey," she says. "Little did I know, however, that traversing the path of cancer and getting past the wall would bring me to a brighter and better existence."

Want to see more?

• Breast Cancer: Get the Facts
• Pregnancy After Breast Cancer: One Woman's Experience
• Facing the Challenge: One Woman's Story of Breast Cancer Survival
• Talk about it!