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According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation in the United States, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer does not just affect women. It is estimated that in 2023, 297,790 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, here is one breast cancer survivor’s journey. In December 2010, Gayle Starkey, who was 57 years old, was given a diagnosis that no man or woman wants to hear. She had stage two non-invasive breast cancer. While giving herself a routine breast exam, Gayle had found a lump. Three days later, her doctor confirmed that it was indeed breast cancer. Gayle’s first thought was, “I will have to do what I have to do”. Gayle felt very lucky with her breast cancer diagnosis. Because it was non-invasive, the cancer was confined completely to one breast. She would not need chemotherapy or radiation to treat it. Instead, surgery was scheduled immediately for December 10, 2010, where doctors removed the one breast that had the cancerous tumor. She opted not to have reconstructive surgery afterwards. One of the most difficult parts of Gayle’s journey was the pain management. Especially after the surgery it was hard for her to make herself take the pain medication. The entire process from finding the lump to diagnosis to surgery was done so quickly that Gayle wished she would have had more time to think about and explore all her treatment options. Looking back the only thing she would have done differently would be to have both breasts removed instead of just one. Gayle’s advice to someone just starting their breast cancer journey would be try to keep a good attitude, try to find the positives in the little things or anything about the situation and do not stop living, have fun and enjoy life. Gayle also has advice for caregivers, friends and loved ones of anyone with cancer. She said the best thing that a person can do is just to be there. It is the little everyday things that matter to someone who is exhausted from their fight with cancer. Running errands, having someone to drive to appointments, etc; those little things make all the difference. Surviving breast cancer has changed how Gayle views and experiences life. Since surviving breast cancer, she worries more about aches and pains. She has become more aware of her body and warning signs when something is not right. It has also changed how she sees other people. Gayle is now more socially aware of others in the community that may be suffering but not show it or put on a false front of how their journey really is going. Both Gayle and her daughter are members of the Avon/ Dante Pink Ladies. Gayle is a dual cancer survivor. Having breast cancer may have saved Gayle’s life in her battle with leukemia. It was during one of her breast cancer checkups a year and half after her breast removal surgery that she was found to have stage four leukemia. Gayle did not have a history of breast cancer in her family. A year after Gayle was diagnosis, her aunt was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of breast cancer. A person never knows what can happen. Gayle’s message to the community would be to make it a routine to do a self-breast exam because cancer can grow so fast. Get a buddy and remind each other monthly to do the self-exams. The quicker cancer is found the better the chances of survival. Gayle also stressed that if a lump is found, do not put it off, do not be afraid of the diagnosis. Thank you, Gayle for sharing your journey and advice with the community. It is through Gayle’s story of survival that it is hoped that other people will be see the need to do monthly self-breast exams and yearly mammograms.