Personal Stories
Aleta and Alicia are identical twins. They’ve always done everything together – but going through breast cancer at the same time is something neither of them ever expected. And now that they’re finished with treatment, the twins are ready to advocate on behalf of others with breast cancer.
Knowing your family’s medical history can be a vital tool in understanding and managing your health, particularly when it comes to breast cancer. A strong family history of the disease can increase your risk, making it essential to know your blood relative’s experiences. For Lori, knowing her family history made her extremely vigilant about her […]
Like most women in her family, Lee has dense breasts, so it wasn’t unusual for her to get a call back for additional testing after her yearly mammogram. In June 2023, that additional testing led to a breast caner diagnosis. “The diagnosis was a shock,” she said. “There’s no history of cancer in my family.”
Claudia’s breast cancer diagnosis came as a shock. She was 37, had no symptoms or signs and did not have a family history. She also learned she had the BRCA2 gene mutation. “You get really educated really quickly,” she said.
In 2012, Stasi Trout’s world was shaken when she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. Following her treatment, she registered for her local Race for the Cure® in Columbus, Ohio, and her team has raised more than $80,000 to support Komen’s work to end breast cancer.
Helen was helping care for her grandchildren when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. While her treatment costs were covered under Medicaid, Helen had other bills she needed help with. “I worried about my electricity being turned off,” she said. That’s when she turned to Komen’s Financial Assistance Program for help.
LaShae was working on her Ph.D. in public health, focused on cancer prevention research, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. “My journey has taught me the value of advocacy and support for young adults with cancer,” said LaShae. “I am committed to helping others navigate their journeys through similar challenges.”
During treatment for breast cancer, Colleen had to take time off from work. While Medicaid covered her treatment costs, Colleen had other bills to pay. She applied for help through Komen’s Financial Assistance Program. “Komen’s help took a huge weight off of me while recovering from surgery,” she said. “I was able to focus on taking care of myself.”
Navigating a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment can bring a wide range of emotions. The physical and mental toll is often overwhelming, and it can be difficult to find moments of peace and positivity. However, through these challenges, there are countless stories of resilience, hope and faith that inspire.
Sierra has a history of fibroadenomas, which are benign breast tumors, so when she felt a lump in her breast in late 2022, she assumed that’s what she was feeling. But the more she felt it, she realized that it didn’t feel like a fibroadenoma usually felt.
Regular scans during breast cancer treatment can help identify if the cancer is responding to treatment – or when breast cancer has recurred. In the lead up time to scans, people often feel a sense of anxiety – or scanxiety. Fortunately, there are tools available to some that may help identify breast cancer recurrence.
For Wisconsin mom of three and firefighter Bizzy Smith, 2022 was a whirlwind of emotions, beginning with receiving the call that she and her best friend and fellow firefighter Sunny Pulver had been cast as a team on season 36 of “The Amazing Race.” The year would end with her struggling for a diagnosis for the lumps in her left breast.
