Breast Cancer Awareness month is observed each October and goes beyond just pink ribbons and shirts – it’s about saving lives. With one in eight women developing breast cancer in their lifetime, education and early detection is imperative. Alena Scott shares how a breast cancer diagnosis for her sister led her to her own diagnosis and how the two sisters supported each other through their heath journeys.
In December 2023, Alena’s older sister, Angela, received a diagnosis of Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS), an early form of breast cancer confined to the breast ducts. She was scheduled for a lumpectomy and radiation. Alena immediately wanted to be by Angela’s side during her recovery and booked a flight to Virginia to support her. But Angela had different advice: she urged Alena to take care of herself and schedule a mammogram.
Like many of us, Alena had missed a few screenings, partly due to the pandemic, but mostly because she never thought anything serious would come of it. She was in her 40s, healthy, active, and had never experienced any major health issues.
“It’s like a dental appointment,” Alena explained, “you know, we don’t want to go to the dentist. It’s not fun, but you want to get that cavity while it’s small instead of when it’s gotten really bad.” With her sister’s encouragement, Alena scheduled her mammogram right after Christmas, confident that nothing would be found.
A week later, Alena received a call from her doctor. They wanted a closer look at something on her scan. Though nervous, she kept the news to herself, not wanting to add more worry to her family. After an ultrasound-guided biopsy, she was initially relieved to hear the results were benign. However, her relief was short-lived when the doctor recommended a second biopsy on a nearby area of tissue.
This second biopsy, a core needle biopsy, brought with it a wave of anxiety. Alena’s heart sank when a nurse asked if she had anyone with her at the appointment. Fortunately, her husband was by her side when the doctor walked in and explained that the results could go either way. Days later, an email from her health portal confirmed her fear: Alena had been diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.
The news left her in shock. Like many, she had believed breast cancer was something that happened to other people. With no symptoms and no palpable lump, the diagnosis felt surreal – especially since her sister had just been diagnosed with breast cancer as well. Now, both sisters were walking the same difficult path – Angela in Virginia, and Alena here in Kansas. Though separated by miles, their journeys were intertwined. Angela, who was 10 years older, went through her treatments first, offering Alena guidance and comfort, letting her know what to expect.
As Alena navigated consultations, procedures and tough decisions, she learned that her cancer was hormone-driven, primarily fueled by estrogen and progesterone. Her treatment plan was daunting but promising: a lumpectomy followed by five weeks of radiation and, eventually, a total hysterectomy to reduce hormone levels and lower the risk of recurrence and lastly 10 years of hormone blocking medicine. Though her world had been turned upside down, her doctors gave her hope—if she completed the treatments and continued taking hormone-blocking medication, her chances of recurrence were less than 5%.
Throughout it all, Alena was deeply touched by the support she received from her family and friends. Her husband and children stepped up in ways she hadn’t expected, helping with everyday tasks and ensuring she didn’t face this battle alone. Small gestures, like preparing her morning coffee or tending to her garden, meant the world to her. “Don’t wait to show up and do something,” Alena offered advice to anyone who knows someone going through a difficult health journey. “Whether it’s helping do some dishes or bringing them a meal card, those little things meant so much to me.”
Radiation took a significant physical toll on Alena. For five weeks, she underwent daily treatments that left her feeling utterly exhausted. She described the radiation fatigue as being similar to the kind you feel after spending all day swimming in the hot summer sun – drained and in desperate need of rest. While the treatments themselves didn’t cause immediate pain, they left her with a deep discomfort, like a sunburn from the inside out. When asked if she had any advice for someone going through similar treatment, Alena told us “Don’t think that it’s not okay to ask for help, you don’t have to be strong for everybody.”
Despite the challenges, Alena felt compelled to share her story, hoping to encourage others to prioritize their health. She posted about her experience on her social media pages, and to her surprise, friends reached out to say they had scheduled mammograms because of her post. One friend even discovered something that required further investigation. It was moments like these that reinforced Alena’s belief in the importance of early detection.
Looking back, Alena often reflects on how Angela’s diagnosis may have saved her life. Without her sister’s encouragement, she might have continued to delay her own mammogram, never imagining that cancer could be silently growing. Her cancer was caught early, and though the journey was challenging, Alena now shares her story to remind others of the critical importance of routine screenings. “I think spreading the awareness of going, taking the time for yourself and getting it done because it can be a matter of life or death. Mammograms are such a simple procedure.”
Her doctors have given her the green light to move forward with her life. The surgeries and treatments are behind her, and now, as her medical team advised, it’s time to live again. Alena plans to do just that – embracing the future with gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose and a trip to finally visit her sister in Virginia this October.