Breast Cancer Isn’t an “Older Woman’s” Disease

October 13, 2010 12:00 pm     Posted in Body, Health, Reality  Candy -- NYU g+ page



By Candy

The following post was written by Liz, a CollegeCandy reader and 21-year-old breast cancer survivor.

I was your typical college sophomore. I was active on campus, had a great group of friends, and kept myself busy with schoolwork. I was enjoying my time at The College of New Jersey, and felt truly blessed with an amazing life.

Then in April 2009, everything changed completely. In the midst of studying for final exams and celebrating the end of the school year, I was going back and forth between TCNJ and New York City for doctor visits. I had found a lump in my right breast, and went for tests and exams just as a precaution. Although I was optimistic and really believed I had nothing to worry about, I received the news that nobody wants to hear: I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

How could this have happened? I was only nineteen years old, with no family history of the disease, and was a healthy athlete my entire life. Weeks earlier, my toughest decisions dealt with my college course load, finding a summer job, and balancing family and friends. Flash forward and I’m being told I need surgery, months of chemotherapy, and I will have to start my junior year of college wearing a wig. I began making life-changing decisions and dealing with things no teenager should ever have to deal with.

In May of 2009 I elected to have a bilateral mastectomy, which called for the removal of both my right and left breasts. Though the cancer was only located in a tumor in my right breast, I chose to be as aggressive as possible with the surgery. I was diagnosed with this disease at age nineteen; what would stop it from coming back again in my other breast? I did not want to have to relive any of these moments, so I made one of the hardest and most important decisions of my life.

After about a month of recovery from my surgery, I began my chemotherapy treatments and the breast reconstruction process. I needed eight cycles of two different chemotherapy drugs; the entire process would last four months. In hindsight, four months is such a small, insignificant period of time. But those were the hardest four months of my life.

When I started chemotherapy, I kept asking myself, “Why did this happen to me?” “What did I do to deserve this?” I even wondered whether I would be able to get through the whole process. I relied heavily on the strength of my family and friends just to keep me going day by day.

In the days that followed, I realized “Why me” questions were pretty silly and somewhat selfish.  There was nothing I could do to prevent what already happened and focusing on my past would do nothing to improve my future.  The questions I needed to ask suddenly came into focus:  ”What do I need to do to put this behind me?” “How do I get healthy again?”

I realized that sitting around feeling sorry for myself would accomplish absolutely nothing. I was extremely fortunate; I found the lump at such an early stage that my cancer was completely curable.  So I made it a point to lead as “normal” a life as I could – I went to the beach and hung out with friends when I was feeling well, and came back to TCNJ in the fall, taking three classes while finishing the last of my treatments. I put on my wig, got myself dressed every morning, and put on a happy face to let everyone know that I was doing just fine. Cancer was not going to stop me from enjoying my junior year of college.

It was certainly a tough time, but I stayed positive, and was able to push through. Looking back on the past year and half of my life, I cannot believe everything that I have accomplished. I am officially one year out of treatment, and got a clean bill of health from my doctors.

I have learned a lot about myself over the past eighteen months. I have become a stronger person, and everything has been put into perspective for me. I don’t worry so much about the small things, and enjoy every life experience much more than I ever thought I could. I also learned how important the people in my life really are. I would not have gotten through this without the support of my friends and family.

I truly believe that his happened to me for a reason; I am a survivor, and want to help spread my message to other young women. Breast cancer is not just a disease for our mothers, aunts, and grandmothers; it is affecting women younger and younger every year. And as young women we are not invincible, although at times I know we think that we are.

Take my story as a reminder to protect yourself now.

20 Comments on "Breast Cancer Isn’t an “Older Woman’s” Disease"

  1. Anna says:
    Wed, 13th Oct 20108:11 am 

    You are so brave. Thank you for sharing your story. My family has a history of breast cancer and my mom found a lump but refused to go to the doctor. Luckily, when I finally forced her to go, it was benign. Thank you for pointing out how important it is to be alert and proactive.

  2. MG says:
    Wed, 13th Oct 20109:08 am 

    You are amazing. I am so happy for your clean bill of health and admire what a strong person you are.

  3. KP says:
    Wed, 13th Oct 20101:38 pm 

    The number of people that you have inspired by your story, and continue to do so, is endless. You are truly amazing. We love you lil cuz!

  4. LoveBrownSugar says:
    Wed, 13th Oct 20101:44 pm 

    This is an amazing story. Thank you so much for sharing! I'm actually hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness giveaway on my blog and one lucky reader will get a chainlink charm bracelet. Feel free to check it out!

    http://www.lovebrownsugar.com/2010/10/pink-velvet…

  5. criolle johnny says:
    Wed, 13th Oct 20104:40 pm 

    Heart disease kills more than breast cancer.

    LUNG cancer kills more than breast cancer.

    We spend more on ADVERTISING for breast cancer than we do for heart disease or lung cancer RESEARCH.

    There is a greater incidence of prostate cancer than breast cancer:

    Prostate 168/100,000 men, breast cancer 127.8 per 100,000 women

    Guess which gets more funding?

    Breast cancer funding from NCI about 600 mill, prostate 300 mill. (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/disparities/cancer-health-disparities)
    Why not have a "cancer awareness" month? Make it "gender neutral"?

    I am NOT saying that breast cancer isn't a big deal! I do wish to point out the disparities in funding.

  6. Angeline says:
    Wed, 13th Oct 20106:09 pm 

    Congratulations on becoming more positive. You are truly an inspiration.

  7. sam says:
    Wed, 13th Oct 20109:00 pm 

    Wow, this is the first story I have heard of somebody my own age being diagnosed with breast cancer. Thank you for sharing your story of bravery.

  8. stephanie says:
    Thu, 14th Oct 20107:22 pm 

    wow. scary. I have a family history of breast cancer. Infact lost a aunt who was only 30 to it 10 years ago and my grandmother has had it twice and she is now 87 and kicking! :) I have gotten a test done to see if i have the gene and it seems I have a low chance of getting it. but we shall see. I am amazed at ur strength an how you handled yourself. good to hear you are cancer free. spreading the word of awarness espeically to young girls is the best thing you should do. maybe u should run for miss america :)

  9. Summer says:
    Mon, 18th Oct 20102:59 pm 

    Thank you sooo much for sharing your story!! I admire your positive attitude and your strong, confident outlook on life despite what you've endured!!! You are truly and undoubtedly an inspiration!!

  10. Mel says:
    Mon, 18th Oct 20106:54 pm 

    Thumbs up to criolle johnny. I had ovarian cancer when I was in high school, so I know where Liz is coming from. But at the same time, while I had that experience in the children's, I saw that there are so many diseases that need to be focused on. I have absolutely no problem with having breast cancer research.

    But at the same time I feel like there is more that can be done. Brain tumors, tumors that can grow in your back (and you can't get them out because there is a whole lot of nerves wrapped around it), yolk sac tumors, alzheimer's disease, etc, etc. Why DO we spend so much time making people aware of breast cancer as opposed to having a cancer awareness month? Why don't we spend more time telling people how to keep up their health to PREVENT cancer or how to keep spirits up for people that DO have cancer? This is just silly to me.

    But, on another note (and to stay on topic), I'm happy you have the strength to be able to tell your story and I hope you continue to live a healthy life. I'm glad that breast cancer reasearch was benefit you in the best of ways. :) It has been 5 years and I have nowhere near that amount of strength. Inspiration, you! ;D

  11. xerilagang says:
    Wed, 20th Oct 20103:17 am 

    Its a great story. Thank you very much for sharing! I'm actually hosting a breast cancer gift on my blog, and one lucky reader will receive a wristband connection symbol. Feel free to check it out!

    Motorcycle Parts

  12. Lauren says:
    Wed, 20th Oct 201010:34 am 

    I agree with some of the other comments that funding and attention should not only focus on breast cancer but other disease categories as well. Why does breast cancer get an entire month where NFL teams ad cartoons go pink while other diseases do not receive as much attention.

    Your story is truly inspiring and I do not want to take away from that fact but in reality women are not getting breast cancer at younger ages. According to the CDC the rates for young women have remained constant for the past 20 years and more lives are being saved because of modern advancements in medicine. http://blogs.poz.com/staff/archives/2010/10/breas…

  13. lori jeffries says:
    Fri, 22nd Oct 20105:56 am 

    I have been following your strength and determination since the beginning of your journey. (through your mom) I have to tell you at 52 years old, and a survivor of more than one cancer, you continue to inspire me.

    I can only imagine that you must be a bit surprised of your strength yourself? At times i think it just arrives exactly when fear has us in its mistand just when we need it. It arrives through our faith, families, friends and even strangers! You are so young to be so wise!

    I keep you in my thoughts

    xo

    Lori

  14. Jeffery says:
    Sat, 4th May 20135:25 pm 

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