AKA: Fighting Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most diagnosed cancers in the United States. According to estimates from the American Cancer Society, there will be almost 300,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer and almost 50,000 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer diagnosed among women in the United States every year.
Breast cancer is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease that affects millions of people around the world. The diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer can be a difficult and emotional journey, as patients and their loved ones face a range of issues and concerns such as the physical and emotional impact of the disease, the potential for side effects from treatment, the financial burden of medical care, and the uncertainty of the future. The experience of a breast cancer patient can vary greatly depending on factors such as the stage and type of cancer, the patient's age and overall health, and the treatment plan recommended by their healthcare team. Based on the stage and type of breast cancer, as well as the patient's overall health, doctors typically recommend a treatment plan that may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or hormone therapy.
Breast cancer patients very often need time to recover and adjust to life after treatment with ongoing follow-up care, like regular check-ups, imaging tests, and blood work. The difficult cross carried by patients and their loved ones is frequently a complex and difficult journey, but with the right support and care, many patients are able to successfully fight the disease and regain their health. Many people have found strength, spiritual support and even healing by praying to the much-loved Patron Saint of Breast Cancer asking for her intercessory powers.
Who is the Patron Saint of Breast Cancer
The most often and many times the only saint referenced for Patron Saint of Breast Cancer is St. Agatha. However, others do sometimes pray to the general Patron Saint of Cancer, St. Peregrine, or one of the many Patron Saints of Healing when they need intercession.
St. Agatha was born in Sicily in the 3rd century to wealthy and noble parents. She was consecrated to our Lord Jesus Christ from the very beginning of her life. Quintanus, the Roman governor of Sicily, had heard about her wealth and beauty and summoned her against her will. She cried out to Jesus asking to be saved from this tyrant. Upon her arrival, she was tortured and mutilated for refusing his advances but remained steadfast in her faith. As part of her torture, she was given a mastectomy. Because of this association with breast removal, Agatha has become a symbol of hope and strength for those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. She is often invoked as a patron saint for those suffering from breast cancer or other breast-related diseases.
Click here for our list of Patron Saints.
Prayers for Breast Cancer
Prayer to St. Agatha for Breast Cancer
Saint Agatha, blessed virgin and martyr. You are honored as the patron of breast cancer. You suffered pain and torture in your devotion to the Lord.
Protect me from breast cancer and intervene before God almighty, and pray for me so that I may be cured. Heal me and comfort me, and mercifully grant me protection from all cancer.
Saint Agatha, pray for me. Amen.
Prayer of Healing for Breast Cancer
Dear Virgin and Martyr, whom the Church recalls in her liturgy, you heroically resisted the temptation of an evil ruler.
Subjected to long and horrible tortures, you remained faithful to your heavenly spouse.
Please intercede for (mention name here), who suffers from cancer, that God will stretch forth His healing hand and restore her to complete health, according to His Divine Will.
Help her know the Peace of Jesus and the certainty of His victory in her suffering, through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Sister Kathleen Cannon Prayer for Breast Cancer
Tender God, life-giving Spirit, You compassionately hold the entire world in your hands. In your mercy, hear the prayers of your people: Keep guard over the sick and suffering and in a special way over those who suffer with breast cancer; grant them patience, hope, and peace, we pray:
Merciful God, hear our prayer.
Give courage to those with fearful hearts, especially those who feel isolated because of their illness; nourish and sustain them, we pray:
Merciful God, hear our prayer.
Strengthen those who give their energy and skill to healing the sick: doctors and nurses, surgeons and specialists, and all who seek new ways of relieving suffering, we pray:
Merciful God, hear our prayer.
Bless all those who devote themselves to scientific research for the benefit of the human family, especially those who dedicate their efforts to cancer research, we pray:
Merciful God, hear our prayer.
O God, our life, our health, our salvation, look with mercy on your people. Stir up in us a saving faith, that believing, we may be healed, and being healed, we may worthily give you thanks. Blessed are you both now and forever. Amen.
Related Patron Saint Jewelry and Rosaries
Buy some beautiful St. Agatha jewelry to keep you or your loved one close to the patron saint of breast cancer and be a symbol of your faith.