One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. This is a fact. Recently it seems like once a week I learn about someone else in my life affected by breast cancer. My 3 Day teammate recently had someone close to her diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer, one of my donors and family members had a close friend diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer, and now, one of my closest friends and former 3 Day walker found out her aunt was diagnosed this week with breast cancer. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. This is a fact.
It is also a fact that you can survive breast cancer. Thousands of women do just that. Seven years ago my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, just like her mother before her. With the help of science and medicine, family and friends, faith and love, my mother just celebrated her 60th birthday. She is a breast cancer survivor.
It’s interesting growing up with a family history of breast cancer. From an early age I’ve known that I am considered high risk. If I have the breast cancer gene, which my mother’s doctors would like to test for, then I have an 88% chance of getting breast cancer in my life. I won’t lie and say that this statistic doesn’t scare me. But after seven years of staying connected to the breast cancer community, I know that if I am ever diagnosed, I will benefit from science and medicine, family and friends, faith and love, just like my mother did.
Breast cancer is survivable. That is a fact.
You and your mother are an inspiration, my friend! Great post! -Mary
ReplyDeleteThanks! My mom is the real inspiration though. Her and all her fellow breast cancer survivors!
ReplyDeleteBreast cancer is absolutely survivable! Your mom is a prime example of this and every time I see her I remember part of why I walked last year...Although I won't be officially walking this year I will joining you at some point on the route and I will walk those miles for my aunt and all those who have recently found out that this battle is now theirs. If you are ever diagnosed (fingers crossed you never are) know that I will be there and I will hold your hand along the way in the same way you've done for me over the past 13 years!
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