I know Breast Cancer Awareness Month ended yesterday, but I forgot to post an interview I had a week ago. Bashira Brown is a two-time breast cancer survivor, and I met her during a photo shoot for the organization, The Gem Project (www.thegemproject.org ), a breast cancer awareness showcase. Here’s her story.
Here is the interview with Breast Cancer an african-american survivor Bashira Brown. Bashira,a mother and cosmotlogist,was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 24, andis now 28 years old. Bashira has no family history of breast cancer,and was diagnosed twice, and have survived her battle with breast cancer.Because of her battle, she now works with two organizations:in Northern New Jersey, “Look Good and Feel Better“, an organizationthat goes to local hosipitals once a month in Essex County, New Jerseyto give breast cancer patients/survivors makeovers, teach them the twelvesteps of make-up and tell the ladies how to look goodand feel better. Her other organization, “Just for you” provides free wigs, brasand prothesis for women who have medicade, which is located in East Hanover, NJ.
How did you first find out you had breast cancer?
I always get irritation from deodorants, and one day found a lump under my right arm. I went to the OBGYN and she told me I needed to see a breast specialist ,afterwards I had a biopsy and they told me it was breast cancer.
What treatments did you go through afterwards?
I went through chemotherapy the first time, I had another recurrence in 2006. They also gave me a mastectomy. Once it occurred, they had to remove a tumor in my chest and eleven lymph nodes under my arm.
How did you deal with having breast cancer?
First I went through a state of depression, saying “Why Me, I’m too young”, but I had God on my side, watching me night and day. And i knew they have up to date cancer treatments that help you live longer.
What advice can you give to women who do not want to get mammograms, or check-ups at their doctor that deal with breast cancer?
Don’t be afraid, the longer you wait your risk could be even higher and it may not be as scary as you think. I think that once young women are fully developed and they have a B or C cup, they should get tested. When I was tested, after my first operation,they found three in my other breast.
Were there any friends or family members that helped you get through it?
My aunt,my sister, my daughter(who was two at the time and is now six) and my grandmother, were my inspirations that’s gonna help me get through this.
Any advice can you give to women who have breast cancer and are afraid b/c of it?
In the beginning, its not going to be easy but towards the end, it wasn’t as bad as I expected.
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