Editor’s Note: This article was written and submitted to us by Victoria Barghout, CEO and Founder Viver Health.

Sixteen years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer the day before my second daughter was born. At the time, I was a pharmaceutical executive leading an oncology division at a major biopharmaceutical company. Despite my young age and professional background, I suddenly found myself navigating a diagnosis at a time when pregnancy-related breast cancer was not being diagnosed. That experience changed how I understood patient care.

I came to realize that optimal patient care goes beyond diagnosis and treatment. It means being heard, having practical information, and knowing that your voice matters in decisions about your health. Despite my oncology background, I experienced how overwhelming it can be to understand your options, navigate the healthcare system, and know what questions to ask.

I also discovered the value of a whole-person approach to health, one that considers not only the disease but also symptom management, physical activity, nutrition, stress reduction, and overall well-being. I became fascinated by how connecting these elements can support better care and quality of life.

Becoming educated gave me back a sense of control. After going through all of this, I realized I could merge my professional and personal experiences. Inspired by the word “Viver,” which means “to live” in Portuguese, I founded Viver Health (Viver) over 10 years ago, with a mission to empower patients to make informed care decisions, address their whole person needs, and live their best possible lives.

Viver works with top professional medical organizations and patient advocacy groups to create evidence-based resources that help patients and healthcare professionals better collaborate and make care decisions. Today, our resources span rare diseases such as primary biliary cholangitis and myasthenia gravis; oncology, including triple negative breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer; human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV), and other chronic illnesses. We provide practical tools people can use to manage their symptoms, maintain their health, and maximize their quality of life.

I believe innovation isn’t just about developing something new, rather it’s about creating something that makes a meaningful difference in people’s lives. For me, that starts with ensuring patients have the knowledge and support to actively participate in their care. Knowledge is empowerment.

For anyone reading this who is going through a difficult health issue, I want to emphasize the following:

• Healthcare professionals are incredibly busy, and appointments are often short. It’s okay to come prepared with questions, ask for clarification, or request additional help understanding. Everyone deserves to feel heard, and there is no such thing as a silly question when it comes to one’s health.
• Find your people, whether family, friends, a healthcare professional, or a support group with others who have been through the same thing. And let people help you. Sometimes accepting help is just as important as being strong.
• A diagnosis may change your life, but it doesn’t have to define all of who you are. Give yourself grace, focus on what you can control, find the things that bring you joy, and remember that taking care of yourself matters, too.

These lessons have become even more meaningful as I’ve lived with the long-term effects of my own treatment. After a year of chemotherapy and the high doses of steroids that came with it, I developed cataracts, thyroid problems, osteopenia that progressed to osteoporosis, and early menopause. No one had really prepared me for these lasting effects. I’m incredibly grateful to be cancer-free, but one of the hardest parts of survivorship is recognizing that being cancer-free doesn’t necessarily mean being free from the impact of cancer. I live with the consequences of treatment every day.

My experience has reinforced the importance of looking beyond the immediate goal of treating a disease. It’s equally important to help people maintain their health, prevent further progression where possible, manage ongoing symptoms, and maximize their quality of life. That means giving patients practical, actionable strategies they can incorporate into their daily lives to feel better and live as fully as possible.

For me, learning to take a whole-person approach to my health was a turning point. I began strength training to protect my bones and practicing daily meditation to manage stress. After experiencing a life-threatening thyroid storm that left me relearning how to walk and struggling with brain fog for months, I also learned the importance of giving myself time to heal and putting my health first.

If someone is newly diagnosed or struggling right now, I hope they know that they have a voice, their questions deserve answers, and they don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Because surviving a serious disease is just the beginning. We also need to help people live well beyond that.