Changing from perm to natural?

I'm an 18 year old African-American girl. I've been perming my hair for about 5 years. I always hear about how perming your hair damages it. I want healthier hair and if I want to wear it straight, I'd rather use a flattening iron than chemicals. What do I have to do to grow out my perm. My friend says that I need to cut it. Is that true? Other sources say that I can just stop applying the perm, but I don't want my hair to break and fall out. Any advice is welcomed, thanks!!