October 7, 2014 | SharkAdmin [image 1]Heartwarming breast cancer survivor stories were shared by two members of the NVC family on Oct. 7 at an event put on by Workforce Education & Training. NVC alumni Sara Pascual and former NVC President Jackie Claunch told their stories of detecting breast cancer and how they got through it. According to the Susan G. Komen organization, about 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Sara said she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 27, but it took several trips and many months to get the official diagnosis. For a while she was told she didn't need certain tests to detect the disease because she was too young and didn't have the right symptoms. [image 2]”I cried when I was finally diagnosed. I wasn't crying because I was sad. I was crying because I was frustrated,” said Sara, who added her initial one tumor that went undiagnosed grew to two by the time she received medical help. “After that moment of crying, I decided I was going to fight.” Despite Sara had no insurance and was working her way through college as a waitress, she did receive Medicaid and other assistance. With a big smile on her face, she said she is now one year and 11 days of being cancer free. Jackie's experience with breast cancer came soon after she became president at NVC. After doing a self exam, she detected a lump and while she didn't think it would be breast cancer, it turned out to be positive for cancer. Jackie went through radiation and had the lump removed. [image 3]But Jackie's biggest battle with breast cancer came in 2011 when her daughter was diagnosed with an advanced form of the disease. Jackie said with tears in her voice that her daughter has been bravely fighting for four years. “For most people it can be cured. For my daughter, it never ceases to amaze me how courageous she is.” Here are Breast Self-Awareness Messages from the Susan G. Komen foundation: 1. Know your risk: Talk to your family and doctor about risk factors. 2. Get screened: Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you. Get a mammogram and clinical breast exam. 3. Know what is normal for you: If you have any concerning breast issues (lumps, knots, pain, discoloring), you should see your doctor. 4. Make healthy lifestyle choices: Exercise, limit alcohol and breastfeed if you can. To learn more about breast cancer, visit www.Komen.org or call 1-877-465-6636.
