Stories

I did everything right. I followed the guidelines. I trusted the system. And yet, I was failed. I’m Heather Brister, a 48-year-old kindergarten teacher, mother of three, and now, a breast cancer survivor—though that word barely covers the sheer hell I’ve endured over the past few years. It all started in May 2021 when I…

One-year post breast-conserving surgery, and I want to share my story. My breast care journey began nearly 40 years ago when, in my mid-twenties, I discovered a lump in my breast. After having it removed, I anxiously awaited the results—thankfully, it was a benign cyst. Over the next decade, I underwent two more cyst removals…

ABOUT ME: Hello, I’m Joy, a 57-year-old Southern California native, proud mother of two adult children, coffee lover, and breast cancer survivor. After spending 35 years in the San Diego sun, my Canadian-born husband was ready to return to his beloved hometown of Montreal, and I was 100% on board. Two years ago, we sold…

My story began just over a year ago. While breastfeeding my daughter who was 16 months old, I noticed a lump in my left breast and along with the lump, I was extremely tired but more a feeling of fatigue with very little energy. I lost my mom to breast cancer and despite natural changes…

My name is Vassi Talampassi, and I am 50 years old. I was born and raised in Greece, but have lived in Windsor, Ontario since 2004. I am a mother, wife and the owner/artist behind Charisma. I am a breast cancer warrior and a survivor of the unfairness of life. It was Friday March 12th…

In June 2023, just three months after adopting my daughter, at the age of 45, I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative. It was a typical Thursday morning when I checked my biopsy results on the hospital portal. The news left me in complete disbelief. For years, I had followed…

Genetic testing and a high-risk breast screening program saved my life. A reminder that what you don’t know can absolutely hurt you. It all started when my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the end of 2019, almost 15 years after battling and defeating breast cancer. Because of this and a history of breast…

It was a rainy day in May 2022, when my breast cancer was discovered. I was 43. The only reason it was found was because I was all about self-examination. I had very lumpy breasts and even a slight flu would cause my breasts to feel differently. In April, after a bout with Covid, I…

I was 34 years old. It was the end of February, 2023, 7 months since the physical with my family doctor. Not one, but two lumps were found-one in each breast, almost identical in their 3 o’clock location. I had found one lump prior to the visit; the other was found by my doctor during…