In the United States, approximately 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. 91 percent will survive.
While society often celebrates the triumph of ringing the bell and the next chapter in life, a significant number of survivors are battling a hidden crisis of anxiety, depression, and survivor’s guilt (an experience of intense emotional distress, shame, or remorse for having survived a traumatic event when others did not).
For Dr. Jacque Colbert, SippingPositivetea founder and cancer survivor, her clear bill of health was not completely the joyous relief she had expected. At the end of what felt like endless treatment, the quiet shadow of fear started to creep in.
When the consistent check-ins stopped, the mind games began.
“I got scared,” Dr. Colbert reveals, noting a profound shift from a life where every week, a doctor or nurse was looking after her, checking her vitals, and ensuring she was physically okay. “Nobody’s going to check in with me on a weekly basis.”
The Emotional Aftermath
Behind the celebratory “all clear,” a new, silent struggle often takes hold. But as Dr. Colbert notes, this perspective of celebration can create a harmful stigma.
“You should be smiling now. You’re cancer-free,” is the message survivors often hear, but it dismisses the reality of the emotional and mental challenges that remain. She recalls the “mental gymnastics” of constantly worrying if the cancer would return— a fear that can be as debilitating as the physical symptoms she experienced. This, along with the feeling of isolation, is a reality many survivors face.
Dr. Colbert realized she was not alone when she started sharing her story. After talking to multiple survivors who thought they were “crazy” for the mental fatigue and heaviness they were experiencing, she realized she wasn’t alone.
It revealed that many more people were battling a silent guilt, feeling as though they should just be grateful to be alive, while others were still fighting. It’s an unspoken duality, a pressure to suffer alone so as not to appear ungrateful for the gift of life.
Redefining Strength And Finding Joy
As a corporate human resources executive, army veteran, and urological medical nurse, Dr. Colbert had always led with strength. However, her cancer journey forced her to redefine what that word meant.
Strength was no longer about being tough or hiding her emotions. Instead, she found that true strength came from vulnerability. She had to learn to let herself cry, feel all of the feelings, and accept a hug, pushing past her own upbringing and military background that told her otherwise.
It was a deeply personal faith journey that taught her, as she stated, “[That] it is okay to be emotional. It does not connote or denote a lack of strength.”
This newfound emotional freedom was a part of her shift from simply surviving to actively deserving joy, a message she now shares with other survivors.
Part of this shift can be credited to her then pastor, who told her she had to “find joy in a jam.” It was a message she took to heart through an incremental approach.
She started to find happiness daily in small victories: feeling her fingertips again, being able to go for a walk, or simply a stranger’s smile. She documented these moments, and their cumulative effect eventually surpassed the negative thoughts that once weighed her down mentally.
From Private Struggle To Public Advocacy
The turning point for Dr. Colbert’s advocacy came in 2010 when she spoke on a panel. That one speech led to others reaching out to her, and she realized the need was far greater than she could handle alone. Her personal pain had a public purpose. This led to the founding of Sipping PositiviTEA, a nonprofit focused on the “whole system approach” to healing.
Dr. Colbert recognized that traditional support systems often fall short. Some systems may offer financial assistance while others offer medical assistance, but she failed to find a system that addressed the mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of a survivor.
With Sipping PositiviTEA, Dr. Colbert is building a community where conversations about survivor’s guilt, mental health, and finding joy are at the forefront.
A Call For Progressive Change
Dr. Colbert’s advocacy is a testament to her belief that every survivor deserves to experience joy. She is committed to using her voice and platform to ensure no one has to face the journey alone.
For friends and family, she encourages them to apply the “platinum rule” of “treating people the way in which they want to be treated” instead of assuming what a survivor needs. She insists the most important thing is to listen.
Dr. Colbert’s experience has also fueled her push for broader societal change, which includes using her voice to raise awareness on both government and policy issues— from advocating for more progressive diagnostics, particularly for Women Of Color, to shedding light on the need for continued government funding for cancer research.
Ultimately, Dr. Colbert’s most powerful message is a simple one to other survivors: “I want you to know that you are not alone.”
Editor’s Note: This article discusses survivor’s guilt, a deeply emotional experience that may be distressing for some readers. It is intended for informational and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or someone you know is struggling, please consider reaching out to a licensed therapist or mental health professional. This story has been edited and condensed for clarity.
By BrownStyle Magazine in Special Editions
72 pages, published 1/17/2025
