Finding Strength in Heat: A Perspire Member’s Breast Cancer Journey

Perspire is committed to promoting health in women across the lifespan, and cancer continues to be one of the most pressing health challenges women face world-wide. While October may shine a spotlight on breast cancer awareness, for the millions of women living with breast cancer diagnoses, the fight for health, healing, and awareness is year-round. Last October, we shared how infrared saunas can support cancer treatment and prevention. 

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This year, we’re honored to share the story of Faith Buhler, long-time Perspire member at our Winter Park location. Her story reminds us that wellness isn’t just about treatments or protocols to improve our physical health; it’s also about advocating for your health, while finding strength mentally and emotionally. 

Faith’s story is raw and unfiltered - the kind that not only reflects resilience but also the importance of advocating for your health, starting now.

Q: What role has personal wellness played in your life?

A: For as long as I can remember, I have always had an interest in health and wellness. I am an athlete. I understand the benefits of keeping a healthy body and mind. I structured my lifestyle and my family‘s lifestyle around clean eating and clean living. I even made it my goal to reduce our exposure to toxins as much as possible. I did my best to control what I could. This is what made my breast cancer diagnosis so shocking to me, my family, my friends, and even my functional medicine doctor. When I called to give her the news, she actually said to me, “How did this happen?”

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Q: How did you find out you had breast cancer?

A: On August 17, 2020, I found out that I had cancer at age 48. 

It was discovered from a routine mammogram with subsequent ultrasounds and biopsies that I had Ductal Carcinoma In Situ in my right breast. After receiving this news, my husband and I went to meet with a surgeon who recommended a double mastectomy (DMX) based on imaging tests. My surgeon explained that taking an aggressive approach to remove both breasts would likely be the best option longer-term, and my husband and I both agreed with her recommendation. 

Our reason for being aggressive and removing both breasts was to reduce anxiety, stress and the chance of something like this happening again as a much older person. I was confident that the healing process would be much easier at the age of 48 than at the ages of 60 or 65. We also had 2 kids in school who very much needed their mom. Anything that could increase my chance of survival was worth it. 

This turned out to be a wise choice. Upon completion of my DMX, the pathology came back that I had Stage 1A Breast Cancer.

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Q: What led you to try Perspire and infrared saunas?

A: Ironically, not long before my diagnosis, a good friend of mine shared that she was opening an infrared sauna studio where we live – a Perspire Sauna Studio. I was already familiar with some of the benefits of infrared sauna and signed up as a member.

‍It was providential that I already had this membership. I knew some of the benefits of infrared saunas for cancer. From previous research, I was aware that infrared sauna therapy can produce whole body hyperthermia, which is effective because cancer cells are much more sensitive and intolerant to excessive heat compared to normal cells. I’d read that high temperatures are known to be able to kill cancer cells typically without damage to healthy cells.

I also knew that the infrared sauna was good for lots of other things because, unlike traditional saunas, it can penetrate to the cellular level. Other benefits I was aware of were relaxation, improved blood circulation, improved levels of oxygen within the bloodstream (there have been studies which suggest that malignant/cancer cells can’t survive in highly oxygenated environments), improved immune functioning, cellular detoxification, clear skin, and potentially better sleep.

Q: In what ways have sauna sessions supported you during your breast cancer journey (whether in treatment, recovery, or survivorship)?

A: Upon receiving my initial diagnosis, I made it a priority to visit Perspire Sauna Studio as often as I could. I went four times a week. It was my hope that these sauna sessions would have a positive impact on my cancer. I used my 40 minutes in the sauna to pray, to meditate, seek a sense of peacefulness and try to come to terms with my diagnosis. The act of sitting in the sauna itself as well as the ability to utilize YouTube meditation and/or calming videos was a huge part of helping me to get mentally prepared for what I was about to undergo.

Everyone at the studio was very supportive and encouraging. They allowed me to put my membership on hold when it was time for surgery and until I was medically cleared to return. 

Since that time, I have continued to make Perspire Sauna a regular part of my health and wellness routine. It brings me peace of mind knowing that in addition to eating healthy, exercising, getting massages, my sauna sessions help to keep my body clean, and hopefully, will help to prevent a reoccurrence of my breast cancer. So far, I would have to say that it is working. 

This September will be my final, hopefully, visit with my oncologist. If all my blood work comes back clear, I will have made it to the five-year mark. I plan to continue my sauna visits even after this milestone.

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Q: Have you noticed specific benefits from infrared sauna sessions, like improved sleep, stress relief, or mental resilience that stand out?

A: To me, the biggest benefit of my sauna sessions has been dedicated time for myself,  stress management, and peace of mind.

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Q: What advice or encouragement would you share with others who are navigating breast cancer and considering adding Perspire to their wellness routine?

A: I would say “Sign up!”. I would encourage anyone dealing with breast cancer to make the most of all the potential tools and therapies that are available in increasing survival rates and quality of life. I would encourage people to make time for themselves, to care for themselves.

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We’re deeply grateful to Faith for courageously sharing her story with Perspire. Her resilience and strength to continue showing up not only for herself, but for those she loves, is a reminder to us all. Faith’s story is an honor to share, as it represents the lived experiences of countless women confronting breast cancer with grace and courage.