At 39, I find myself in a stage of life I once viewed as ancient. As a child, I thought my mother was practically elderly at 40. Now, I am a wife, a mother of four, and a writer. Despite my responsibilities, I continue to share images of my breasts on social media.
At 35, during a routine self-exam, I discovered a lump in my breast. Alarmed, I quickly contacted my gynecologist, resulting in an ultrasound and my first mammogram. Due to my dense breast tissue, the mammogram was complicated. I was told locating a lump was like finding a snowflake in a snowstorm. Fortunately, the ultrasound identified the lump, which appeared non-threatening. However, I felt uneasy and sought a second opinion from a breast surgeon. After performing her ultrasound, she recommended a biopsy.
While on vacation with my family, I received the devastating news: I had DCIS, or stage 0 breast cancer. My mind raced with questions—why me? I led a healthy lifestyle and had no family history of breast cancer. I soon learned it’s a more common diagnosis than I thought, affecting one in eight women, with about 11% diagnosed under age 45.
Anxiety surged through me, amplifying my fears. I researched DCIS and understood it was treatable, but I struggled to accept the reality of cancer. Faced with the choice between a bilateral mastectomy or lumpectomy with radiation, I ultimately decided on the mastectomy after thoughtful consideration.
I kept my diagnosis private, fearing that sharing it would invite judgment or undermine my confidence during recovery. My decision was validated when pathology results revealed previously undetected invasive breast cancer.
Once I publicly acknowledged my mastectomy, I felt a responsibility to encourage women to perform self-exams and schedule mammograms. I utilized my platform, sharing images to highlight the importance of awareness. The more I posted, the more attention these reminders garnered.
However, in 2020, social media began censoring images of women’s bodies, particularly those representing breast cancer survivors. Many women shared pictures to raise awareness, especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Unfortunately, many of these posts were removed or flagged as inappropriate. The breast cancer community fought back, emphasizing that these images are not sexual but crucial for awareness and early detection.
Despite the risks of censorship, I, along with many others, will continue to share our stories and images, whether they depict scars or the absence of a breast. We strive to emphasize the importance of self-care and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. It’s a matter of life and death—literally.
I am grateful for the chance to use my voice to encourage others. I’ve received numerous messages from women who were inspired to schedule mammograms or remind friends to do the same. Some have even shared their diagnoses, while others narrowly avoided a similar fate. Each message reinforces that my journey is not in vain.
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Summary:
At 39, I share my experience with breast cancer to promote awareness and encourage self-exams among women. Through my journey, I emphasize the importance of being proactive about breast health, despite the challenges of societal norms and censorship on social media.
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