Share Your Story

Only 1 in 10 women with breast cancer have a genetic history of the disease. A growing body of scientific evidence links toxic chemicals in our everyday environment to the high rates of breast cancer. Women affected by breast cancer have powerful stories to tell about these links and what we can do to reduce our risk - and the risk for future generations. Join us by sharing your story.

Rosanne, Colorado

At age 44, living in a small ski town in Colorado, I thought I was living a healthy life but was diagnosed with an aggressive type of breast cancer. Most patients are shocked when they hear the diagnosis of cancer and their name in the same sentence. I was no exception to that rule. I am a doctor myself, armed with all the knowledge of medicine, applying that knowledge not only to patients, but to myself. I exercised, limited alcohol use, never smoked, breastfed both of my babies and had five sisters older than me, not one with a diagnosis of breast cancer.

I realized prevention was more than not smoking, maintaining ideal body weight, eating fruits and vegetables and exercising. I started to look more at the skin care products I have used for years. I started to look at the plastic in my world. Not only did I stop heating in plastic, change many skin care products, but I also changed my water bottles too. I buy more organic.

I now talk to my patients about environmental health. Just today, I had a woman come for a visit in my office, to ask me how she can lower her risk for breast cancer. I teach patients on a one on one basis, but have also spoken to the community about ways to lower breast cancer risk.

We now have the knowledge and ability to make safer products and safer foods. It is my hope we can implement more of these healthier choices on a larger scale, thus creating a healthier world for the next generation. Join me in my goal to spread the word, prevention starts here.

Ann, Montana

I grew up in Southern California on a ranch where we raised avocados and horses. I spent most of my childhood riding and hiking in the hills on and around our ranch.

I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1982 at the age of 22. I had surgery, which included removing my spleen, and radiation. That diagnosis was a shock - I had never had more than the flu!

The doctors told me the radiation increased my risk of breast cancer. I didn’t realize how high my risk was until I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 at the age of 46. Studies done later suggest that women treated with radiation were “likely” to get a second cancer. Hearing the words “you have cancer” was devastating.

I had a lumpectomy and then a bi-lateral mastectomy, followed by nine months of chemotherapy. My hair fell out, which wasn’t so bad but it was winter in Montana! The chemo made me sick, but I was determined to stay active, hiking, mountain biking and kayaking. I had to scale back how much I could do, and usually gave myself a few days to feel better before doing these activities, always listening to my body and what it needed.

Having cancer again really changed my life. Back when I had Hodgkin’s, one of my doctors thought it was caused by chemical exposures in childhood. My family used lots of chemicals, including DDT on the ranch. Being aware of that possibility, I became more conscience of toxins in the environment and tried to avoid them. The more I learned about food and household cleaners and cosmetics, I became more concerned. I started reading labels early on, finding petroleum in chapstick was alarming, and I didn’t want to eat petroleum!

I made a presentation to my breast cancer support group in August and told them about the chemicals in our everyday products and how to find out if their cosmetics are safe by going to www.pureprevention.org.