We all know someone who has had breast cancer and most of us know more than one. It’s possible that you could be one out of 8 women (about 12%) who develop invasive breast cancer in the lifetime. It is the most common form of cancer that affects women, but I bet you already knew that. October is acknowledged as Breast Cancer Awareness month but you need to be more than just aware you need to be prepared.
When I was in my 20’s my paternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was in her 80’s. I thought it was a condition that only affected elderly women.
The first time I heard of a young woman fighting breast cancer I was watching The Today Show. That was probably 18 years ago. I felt sad for the women but also thought that it had to be an uncommon event. Mammograms aren’t even recommended until the age of 50. (Which back in the day I thought was old. Today as I approach 50, not so much!) So, I was under the false impression that this couldn’t happen to a young, healthy person.
I did not know how wrong I was. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that 11% of new breast cancer cases in the US are found in women under the age of 45. That’s the bad news.
Here’s the good news!
With early detected 5-year survival rates are between 86-99%.
In honor of all of the women (and men) who have fought breast cancer, I wanted to bring attention to awareness but also to the healing and the life that can be found after such a devastating disease. I interviewed my friend Nicole Czarnomski. She has been there, fought the biggest fight of her life, shaved head and all, and at the young age of 42. She is a Breast Cancer Survivor.
Nicole is also an amazing writer and a newly published author. In her book How Cancer Cured my Broken Soul: A terrifying, raw, and side-splitting tale of one woman’s’ breast cancer journey, she gives an intimate portrait of her breast cancer journey and how she was able to find herself through the process.
Yes, we will talk about cancer during our conversation but this interview about so much more!
Although her journey begins in fear, it ends with a precious gift, the belief, and knowing that she is strong, resilient, graceful, and loved by many people.
Please watch our interview here
Perhaps you facing a similar illness or you are supporting someone you love and need a little support. Please visit the National Breast Cancer Foundation as a resource and read our recent blog post about the link between stress and breast cancer.
In How Cancer Cured my Broken Soul: A terrifying, raw, and side-splitting tale of one woman’s’ breast cancer journey, Nicole gives you ideas to celebrate milestones, ways to manage setbacks, shows you how to work with fear, and reminds you there can be joy in the darkest of times.
Healthy Living, Happy Life,
Denise
Meet Denise E. Stegall, the CEO and Curator of Living Healthy List.com. With 25 years of experience and study in nutrition, cooking, exercise, and coaching, she helps female entrepreneurs and businesswomen curate a healthy, happy, and productive life.
As an inspirational thought leader, Denise provides honest, research-backed information on health, wellness, personal development, and fun for real-life application. Her platform, Living Healthy List, is a go-to community for health and wellness resources, empowering positive changes and creating the life you want.
Denise’s background in nutrition and her philosophy of “Eat Real Food, Make Good Decisions, and Be Accountable” shaped her International Best Seller, “Healthy Living, Happy Life: A Practical Path to Finding the Healthy Lifestyle That Works for You!”
She goes beyond her book and Living Healthy List to offer “Forever Wellness Lifestyle ,” a groundbreaking group coaching model with individualized roadmaps for true health, balance, stress management, confidence, and an uplifting lifestyle. Denise E. Stegall is devoted to empowering individuals to embrace holistic well-being and fulfillment.
“Living a healthy lifestyle does not have to be hard! “