It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the US, and several women have shared their experiences with the disease on the Guardian. Xeni Jardin described the “overwhelming learning curve” she faced after being diagnosed, and the solace she found in the online community. Emma Keller was “shocked” at the incredible, and highly varied, cost of treatment. Now we want to hear from you. 

Tell us: what are the personal experiences that get lost in the noise of breast cancer awareness month?

If you've had breast cancer before, or are living with it today, share a personal experience or something you learned about the disease that you were not expecting

Found solace in a surprising place? Discovered a way to make mastectomy drains bearable? Had more difficulty adjusting to the process of getting implants than you expected? What about numbness, phantom pain or itching? How did you get through chemotherapy or radiation? If you had a lumpectomy, what’s it like to live with the anxiety of constant mammograms?

Share a story, a lesson or a piece of advice below. Selected responses will be featured on the Guardian.