Breast cancer advocates become Komen faces of county
By Sharon Myers, The Dispatch, Lexington, N.C. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Barbee, 34, said she always knew she would eventually be diagnosed with cancer because it ran in her family. Her maternal great-grandmother was diagnosed twice with breast cancer and was also diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Barbee's mother was also diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer. Barbee decided she needed to be tested to see whether she had the BRCA gene.
The BRCA gene test is a blood test that uses DNA analysis to identify harmful changes in either one of the two breast cancer susceptibility genes. Women who have inherited mutations in these genes face a much higher risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer compared with the general population.
"My mom was the first to locate the actual marker on the gene," Barbee said. "When she found out she was positive, I knew it was probably going to hit me. I wasn't as devastated as most people because I knew the test was going to be positive."
Barbee made the decision to have a double mastectomy as well as a hysterectomy to reduce her chances of developing cancer in the future. Although Barbee has never had cancer, she is active in spreading breast cancer awareness, especially for early detection through testing.
"I reach out to people that have a family history of cancer and encourage them to get tested," Barbee said. "I want to be that person they can come to and ask questions or just to be there for them. I want people to understand that it's not just people like
In 2009, Dean was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer at age 28 after finding a lump during a self-examination. She had an extra burden because she was working at a temporary position that did not offer medical insurance. Fortunately, through her military service in the
"I had found a really hard lump that was definitely out of the ordinary," Dean said. "I am grateful that I wasn't scared to go to the doctor, and I'm glad I reacted when I did. I went to Planned Parenthood who paid for me get a mammogram and helped schedule the biopsy."
After her bilateral mastectomy, Dean began her reconstruction, underwent chemotherapy and had six weeks of daily radiation. Dean said because of her age, she had never considered she could develop breast cancer.
"I was young and healthy and went to the gym twice a week," Dean said. "I didn't know you could get breast cancer in your 20s. I had a great-grandmother that had breast cancer, but she was in her 80s, and none of my other family members had ever been diagnosed."
She said she became involved in promoting breast cancer awareness and prevention because she wants people to be their own doctor when it comes to their health.
"It doesn't matter how old you are, whether you're male or female," Dean said. "I tell people there is life after breast cancer; it is not a death sentence. The key thing is not to be afraid to go to the doctor. Don't be afraid that you can't afford it. There are people out there who can help you. It's a simple test, and if there is something, the smaller it is the better chance you have. Know your body and be your own best advocate."
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