WE ARE BRIGHT PINK

Elissa
After finding a lump in my breast at the age of 21, it took me almost two years to find a doctor who would be willing to order a mammogram. My first breast cancer diagnosis was at the age of 23. I had very few risk factors-I did not smoke, hardly ever drank, ate healthy, was not overweight, exercised regularly, had a child young and breastfed. Two years later, on my 25th birthday, I was diagnosed for a second time with breast cancer. Since diagnosis, I have become an outspoken activist of young women living with breast cancer. I have appeared in multiple local and national television interviews, newspaper articles, magazine publications, radio discussions, and at numerous medical and research conferences speaking out about the unique barriers and challenges young women with breast cancer face including topics such as dating after cancer, fertility, pregnancy, obtaining insurance, and specific treatment options for young women. I am a living example of why it is so important for young women to educate themselves and be proactive with their breast health.