Some women find sisterhood through book clubs or bingo nights. Sue Ascencao? She found hers through survival.
Diagnosed with inflammatory and ductile breast cancer at just 36 years old — with no family history and children at home — Sue had every reason to crumble. But instead, she powered through. She stayed present for dance recitals, baseball games, and the everyday chaos of motherhood. Why? Because she wasn’t going to let cancer define her day-to-day.
What started as a lump transformed into nothing but a bump in her life story. Now 63 years old, Sue is living proof that you can reclaim your narrative — in her case, through motherhood, mature besties, and of course, Prime makeup.
“Cancer takes away that image of yourself you once knew… bald, no eyebrows, no eyelashes. But hey, on the upside, I didn’t have to shave my legs for two whole years!”
Initially, Sue’s doctors thought a lumpectomy would be enough. She was classified as Stage 1 and prepared to move forward. But when they didn’t get a clear margin, the plan changed—big time.
The result? Four rounds of chemo. A mastectomy.
Another four rounds of chemo. Eight weeks of radiation. And a whole lot of courage.
Sue came out the other side cancer-free, but not without scars—and not just the kind you see.
Like most women post-chemo, she struggled mentally with the changes in her physical appearance…particularly the loss of her mane, brows, and eyelashes.
While she found humor in hardship (she saved a ton on razors!), and attempted traditional beauty programs designed to make cancer survivors “look and feel better,” the latter fell short for Sue.
Luckily, she found her saving grace in the form of sisterhood.
“I feel as though we are stronger together, and we are all walking in the same shoes.”
Years after her diagnosis, Sue joined a local support group called ‘Brave at Heart.’ There, she met Annie Pringle, whom she lovingly called “the Thelma to her Louise,” and found exactly what she needed: emotional healing and deep bonds rooted in shared resilience.
When Annie passed away, Sue stepped up to lead the group herself. Today, she runs a monthly in-person meeting and an active Facebook community of over 350 women, all navigating survivorship on their own terms — but never alone.
And science backs up what Sue already knows: the importance of friendship among cancer warriors is undeniable. In fact, a 2024 study of 275 survivors
found that women with less support during the re-entry phase — about three years post-diagnosis — experienced lower quality of life even five to ten years later. Meanwhile, Kaiser Permanente reports that women with more social connections have higher breast cancer survival rates.
The best way to avoid these potential health issues, which manifest as fatigue, reduced mental functioning, and financial strain? Emotional support through fellow ‘Surthrivors,’ and that’s precisely why Sue’s role in her community is so crucial.
It’s hard to overstate how impactful her leadership has been. She’s built a space where vulnerability meets empowerment, and where makeup isn’t superficial, it’s sacred.
“I have to say, I feel more confident and love how my eyes pop. The tutorials are easy to follow, and I can truly say, we all look good and feel better.”
Sue found Prime Prometics on Facebook and never looked back. After connecting with us to become a Giving Program partner, Sue was able to share our products with more breast cancer survivors and help women rediscover their sparkle.
We’re not crying, you’re crying.
Through raffles, swag bags, and special donations to Brave at Heart and the Seymour Pink Gala, Sue has ensured that other women in the community have access to pro-age beauty products made with them in mind.
We’re talking about PrimeLash Mascara, PrimeEyes Brightener, PrimeBrow Growth Serum, and more Prime favorites made for a post-chemo queen.
When mascara becomes a morale boost and a single drop of serum brings back brows you thought you’d lost decades ago, it becomes a moment of brightness in even the darkest times. A reminder that breast cancer could never take your beauty; you simply needed to become reacquainted with it.
These are exactly the lessons that Sue teaches to her friends and fellow Surthrivors, and we love her for it.
“Fight. Encourage. Love.”
That’s right; future Surthrivor…Sue’s motto is that simple.
Fight alongside them. Encourage them to stay positive. Love them just a little bit harder.
And when she says “them,” she isn’t only referring to those fighting breast cancer. Sue is also shouting out to caregivers, friends, children, and spouses — anyone walking this winding path.
Because, like Sue says, you never have to fight alone.
“Thank you is not enough, and I am happy to share my story with you.”
We’re endlessly inspired by women like Sue who remind us what real beauty, real community, and real survivorship (or rather, Surthrivorship) looks like.
What started as a fight for normalcy — for both her children and herself — became a mission to make other breast cancer survivors feel beautiful and heard.
She managed to do all that and so much more, and Sue is just getting started.
PrimeEyes Brightener
PrimeEyes Glide Eyeliner
PrimeLash Mascara
To learn more about Brave at Heart, connect with Sue’s group, or become a Giving Program partner, reach out to giving@primeprometics.com.
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