"The clear message is that breast cancer is not a single, or a simple, story, " Friese said.

CNN: Breast cancer awareness: Not so pretty pink

"She smiled and actually began to tear a little bit, " Friese said.

CNN: Giffords arrives in Houston

Friese, who accompanied Giffords in the ambulance ride in Tucson from the hospital to the airport, said that Giffords could hear the cheers of well-wishers from the sidewalks Friday.

CNN: Giffords arrives in Houston

Women with metastatic cancer, which has spread beyond the breast and is more likely to be fatal, sometimes feel left out when the focus of awareness is on curable, small tumors, says Christopher Friese, an oncology nurse and assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing.

CNN: Breast cancer awareness: Not so pretty pink