Awareness is Key

As a breast cancer survivor of five years, I have learned to stop and smell the roses and to not be afraid to say no, even to family and friends. Awareness is still a big topic. When I was diagnosed and told my mother, the first thing she said was, "Oh no, you have several aunts on both sides of the family who have had breast cancer," which was the first I had ever heard of it. I had to go back to my doctors and edit my family history, which led to them editing my treatment plan after lumpectomy to include both chemotherapy and radiation. Today, when I run into women in the community wearing pink attire, I will go up to them and ask if they have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Most answer yes, and some are wearing pink in support of a loved one. I don't remember being so aware of so many women wearing pink in support of breast cancer -- right on!

Carolyn, 49

Broken Arrow, OK

October 16, 2007