‘Attributed to saving my life’: Breast cancer survivor, oncologist on importance of early testing

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Breast cancer is a disease that’s touched countless women across the globe. A Huntsville breast cancer survivor says it’s a challenging journey, and she credits early testing for still being here.

The disease has touched many across the globe, including News 19’s Darryl Burke, who lost both of his grandmothers to breast cancer 21 years apart.

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Every two minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S., according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

1 in 8 American women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

An estimated 15% of women diagnosed have a family history of breast cancer, but that wasn’t the case for Jolanda Harris. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 near the holidays.

“It was really hard to say Merry Christmas, that’s part of the natural emotion, you’re like am I going to survive this?” Harris said.

She says catching the disease early on made all the difference.

“Knowing my body and knowing that the lump that was there on my breast was not normal, that attributed to saving my life,” Harris told News 19.

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Harris worked full-time during the treatment process to maintain a sense of normalcy and focused on maintaining a positive outlook through all her adversities. When she started losing her hair during chemotherapy, she threw a hair-shaving party and called it a celebration of life while still being here.

Huntsville Hospital’s Dr. Caroline Schreeder, a breast surgical oncologist, says Harris’ story proves why early testing is so vital.

“We have 3D mammograms that are able to detect breast cancer a lot better than before when we had 2D,” Schreeder said. “Because of that, patients are treated earlier and therefore require less aggressive treatment.”

Dr. Schreeder says often, women can’t feel a lump that could be breast cancer and added that women should get annual mammograms starting at age 40. Those who have a family history should pursue testing every 6 months.

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After beating breast cancer, Harris says the fight is never over.

“I always tell people I’m always surviving, because you’re always on edge on that next appointment, that next scan,” she said.

Harris credits her faith along with support from family and friends, including her husband Andre who never missed an appointment, for not only getting her through her treatment but helping her find her purpose along the way.

Now, she’s helping other cancer survivors through her nonprofit Organization LivOn Journey Camp.

“It never was a why me, it’s like I know this has a reason,” Harris said. “Once you go through this journey you experience with cancer, if you come out of the same – you missed it.”

If you or someone you know is a cancer survivor, you can find more information on how Harris’ non-profit organization can assist here.

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