An Interview by Managing Editor, Katy Defazio
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the United States, besides skin cancer. It is estimated that about 297,790 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in women in 2023. Thankfully, approximately 254,000 of these women will survive to tell their stories. Your Bliss magazine sat down with Destiny, a 28-year-old breast cancer survivor, to understand her tale and motivate others who are
going through the same struggle as her.
Destiny’s journey ties back to her mother’s roots. Her mom developed breast cancer when she was 28 years old. Destiny’s mom is also a breast cancer survivor, developing two other types of cancers in her lifetime. Her mother is currently 47 years old and is a warrior. Destiny followed advice from a young age and started mammogram appointments from age 18 onward. In August 2021, Destiny gave birth to a baby boy. “I believe that things happen in your life at specific times for specific reasons. Despite my son’s father not being a part of the picture, I believe that he came into my life at the time he did for a reason; as an inspiration and a motivation.”
Five months later, Destiny went to her regularly scheduled mammogram appointment. A few days later, they requested a biopsy, receiving her cancer diagnosis in January 2022. Developing cancer with a five-month-old baby to care for was a struggle. Destiny expresses that “being a single mom is already hard enough, but raising a child and doing it by yourself was the hardest part of the cancer journey.” Despite the loneliness and feeling of doubt, Destiny kept her head up throughout her journey and encouraged others to do the same. “Take a deep breath and take it one day at a time. Make sure you have everyone close to you that is actually going to be there. Always talk your feelings out, don’t bottle them up; it’s bad to bottle up your feelings. Once you get the initial diagnosis, the thoughts of death come into your head. You shouldn’t bottle up that feeling, it’ll make the situation worse.”
Destiny is currently in remission for her breast cancer and is recommended to have a full hysterectomy by age 35. As a young mother and a warrior, she hopes her story will inspire others to stay positive and remember that they are not alone in their fight with breast cancer.
Knowing the above information, it is crucial to ensure that women schedule their annual mammogram, upon reaching age 40. In Destiny’s case, it was even more important for her to begin mammograms at age 18, due to her family history.
WNY Medical PC offers a monthly mammogram bus that visits select offices throughout the year. Scan the QR code below to view their mammogram bus schedule, or to make an appointment online with one of our providers today.