The Faces of HOPE As we continue our October Breast Cancer Awareness Month series, “The Faces of HOPE,” I’d like to share just a few statistics given by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
• 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
• When caught in its earliest, localized stages, the 5 year relative survival rate is 99%.
• Advances in early detection and treatment methods have significantly increased breast cancer survival rates in recent years. There are currently over 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
As you read these articles each week, think about how you can become more proactive in early detection.
Naomi Smith resides in Hazlehurst, Georgia with her two children, Stephen and Mia. A single mom, Naomi is a mammography technologist and two time breast cancer survivor.
IN HER OWN WORDS: I was originally diagnosed at the age of 36 with Stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC), HER 2 Positive Breast Cancer in December of 2019, then again in December of 2022. My cancer was initially discovered by having a mammogram. I hadn’t felt anything during my regular self exams.
I saw a doctor in October, 2019 because I was having headaches and casually mentioned to her that I was having breast pain. I have dense breast tissue and certain foods and beverages will sometimes cause painful breast. I didn’t think it was a “big deal.” However, my doctor ordered a mammogram. Lo and behold, my report put me in category five which is highly suspicious for cancer. I was devastated. I’d had a mammogram the year before and nothing suspicious was found.
After the mammogram, a biopsy was done which confirmed the findings. I had a lumpectomy, a chemo port placement, and then completed six rounds of chemotherapy including taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin followed by 27 rounds of radiation treatments.
Afterwards, things kind of went back to normal. I was instructed to have a mammogram every 6 months, which I did. On my mammogram report, it stated I should have an MRI because of the density of my breast tissue. My doctor ordered the MRI with the area from the previous surgery highlighted. I had another biopsy which was benign. My emotions were all over the place while waiting on the results. One of the best radiologists I know gave me advice which saved my life for the second time. “Have a mastectomy and be done with it!” And that is what I did!
The pathology report from my mastectomy showed the cancer had returned in the scar tissue. Had I not followed through with the mastectomy, my cancer may not have been detected and could have resulted in a later stage cancer because of its location. Again, I was devastated. This time I went through six rounds of chemotherapy with paclitaxel, herceptin and perjeta. I did not have to do radiation. I took my last chemo treatment in January, 2024. I began breast reconstruction on September 19, 2024.
I am often asked how I was able to keep a smile on my face while continuing to work and going through treatment. My answer is faith in God and prayers from my family and friends. Faith in knowing I am going to be okay.
Everyone deals with things differently. When you hear the word cancer, you automatically associate it with death. I had quite a bit of anxiety for two weeks. I was lying in bed one night and I began praying very hard about my diagnosis. A sense of peace came over me and I knew I was going to be okay.
God has had his hands on me my entire life and I know he will not fail me now. I started looking at things differently. I have cancer; I can’t change that. I have two choices…I can lie down and let negative thoughts consume me, or I can fight. My babies need me, so I choose to fight. I told God I am okay with whatever healing I am going to have…whether it is here on earth or in Heaven.
My advice to anyone dealing with a cancer diagnosis or any other illness is never let negative thoughts creep in. When negative thoughts begin and you feel you have no fight left, you will become sicker. Listen to your body and have yearly screenings. Early detection is the best protection. For those of you dealing with a cancer diagnosis, YOU’VE GOT THIS! You are STRONGER than you know! You are a WARRIOR!!
