Introduction
I was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario. I have 2 sons and have been with my husband for 20 years. I am first generation Canadian of two hard working immigrants. I am half Laotian, Vietnamese and French. I am 37.

Mon histoire avec le cancer du sein
My husband felt a lump in my breast in the spring of 2021. It was during peak COVID times and so my diagnosis took 5 agonizing months. My initial mammogram couldn?t detect my tumour even though it was 2 cm. Apparently, I had very dense breasts and so an ultrasound followed. I ended up needing 2 biopsies and was the youngest woman in the waiting room each time. At every appointment I had, I was told ?not to worry, there?s no family history, you?re too young? etc? but in my gut I knew it was serious.

Over the next 9 months I had multiple mammograms, ultrasounds, MRIs, and at least 80 needle pricks. It felt never ending, and I had to endure all of my treatments alone because of COVID. By the time I had my first surgery it was 8 months after I found the lump. It had grown from 2cm to 5cm and could be seen through a shirt. I had a lumpectomy with reconstruction followed by 8 rounds of dose dense chemo, 15 sessions of radiation and a total hysterectomy all by the age of 37. My lumpectomy revealed that not only did I have a tumour that was invasive ductal carcinoma but also a smaller one that was ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

My oncologist revealed that I probably had this tumour for a few years already, but I would still be 13 years away from annual screening. I don?t know if I would still be here if I waited any longer. I?m only 2 years into my fight, and I have a lifetime to go. Please get checked.

Ce que j’aimerais vous dire
Young women of colour are not represented when breast cancer is being discussed. It can happen to anyone, if you have breasts, you can get cancer. I was 35 years old, active and healthy. I ate a balanced diet, worked out 3 times a week. Live your life to the fullest because it can change in an instant. Don?t be afraid of a mammogram! Women go through much worse things.

Christina
Diagnostiquée à l’âge de 35 ans