Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Campaign Begins

Published: Friday, August 31, 2012 at 10:50 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, August 31, 2012 at 10:50 p.m.

LAKELAND | Every six months for four years, Carol Johnson had a breast biopsy.

Each time, her breast surgeon assured her there was no sign of cancer.

Then, at a Nov. 9, 2008, appointment, Johnson saw tears in Dr. Elisabeth DuPont's eyes.

Johnson, 44 at the time, unexpectedly became one of about 12,000 Florida residents diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Almost four years later, post chemotherapy and post double mastectomy, Johnson is a proud survivor.

"I look at it as a life-changing experience, but not in a bad way," the Lakeland woman told about 40 women attending this year's kickoff of the "Put on Your Pink Bra" campaign.

The pink-bra campaign is part of preparations for the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, which takes place at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 20 at Mosaic Park in Bartow.

"We want you to save more lives," said Christian Lee, event chairwoman. "You can put on your pink bra and make a difference."

Pink bras mostly were visible as artwork on white balloons flying above each table, although at least one woman wore one outside her clothes.

Johnson, her hair cut short and wearing a hot pink sleeveless blouse, joined other speakers in urging the women attending to head teams for the annual walk being held in Polk County for the 10th time.

Several others attending also were cancer survivors.

She needed biopsies because of suspicious-appearing lumps in her breast tissue, Johnson said, but, after so many negative results, she hadn't expected a cancer diagnosis. It took about three days for the news to sink in.

Her voice is firm, her approach matter of fact, as she speaks now about the diagnosis, surgeries and follow-up treatment.

"Be as positive as you can," she said. "Keep a smile on your face and the people around you will hold you up."

Supporting breast cancer patients is part of the American Cancer Society's role. Money raised at the Making Strides walk will help it provide patient support and information, along with funding research, advocacy chairman Becky Bryant said.

Bryant, 69, was diagnosed in 2005 with ovarian cancer. The Auburndale survivor lobbies on behalf of the American Cancer Society and its Cancer Action Network.

She is involved in breast-cancer support because of a relationship between the breast and ovarian cancer. Breast cancer is one of the cancers women with ovarian cancer are at greater risk of developing. Genetic factors that may have caused ovarian cancer in the first place may also add to the risk of breast cancers, according to the American Cancer Society.

[ Robin Williams Adams can be reached at robin.adams@theledger.com or 863-802-7558. Read her blog at robinsrx.blogs.theledger.com. Follow on Twitter at ledgerROBIN. ]

Source: http://www.theledger.com/article/20120831/news/208315020

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