Lynne was just one in a long line of women in her family to be diagnosed with breast cancer, and early detection saved her life. Read about Lynne’s experience with breast cancer compared to that of her grandmother’s.
My mother was a great woman of faith and would always say, “We will praise God in the valley as well as on the mountaintop.”
How true her words would soon ring for me.
Breast cancer was never a taboo subject in our family. My grandmother died from it in 1968—a time when a diagnosis usually wasn’t discovered until a late stage. The treatment options were limited, and the survival rates were low.
So, as you might imagine, my mother and her sisters were absolutely adamant about having mammograms. With more research and such an increase in technology, they resolved that not one of them would be diagnosed with the disease. Their story would be different.
And then I was diagnosed.
My Stage 0 cancer could only be detected by a mammogram. On the other hand, when my grandmother was diagnosed, the tumor was visible and reportedly the size of a goose egg.
Unlike my grandmother—whose cancer had already spread—I was able to choose my treatment plan. As a result, my risk of recurrence is at the lowest rate possible.
I read recently that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. Because of the advances in early detection, treatment, and restoration available to women now, breast cancer is not a hopeless case.
Early detection is critical, so get educated.
Throughout my journey, I asked God to let me help other women, just as he had given me wonderful supporters like Sarah Craig.
Don’t get me wrong, I would never wish for any woman to be diagnosed with breast cancer. I just asked Him to use me to share His love and message of hope. The hope and reassurance that only He can provide.
For every sister that He has allowed me to counsel, advise, educate and speak with, I thank Him. It has been humbling.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. —Romans 12:12
Early detection is critical to breast cancer survival. Check our first post in this series for more information about steps you can take to fight it.
Lynne Weaver is a Product Development Specialist at Lifeway and lives in Nashville, Tenn.
