Highlighting the Importance of Cancer Screening, Even After Treatment

Alison Ullrich is letting her strength speak for her.

I had a routine yearly mammogram, like I’ve had since age 40. This time was different because I was called back for additional studies due to architectural distortion. The biopsy was positive for cancer. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be a cancer patient.

I had surgery and was diagnosed with stage 2a invasive ductal carcinoma. I had a segmental mastectomy with oncoplasty, four rounds of chemo, and 30 radiation treatments. I will be on oral meds for ten years.

Through this experience, I found out just how strong I am in mind, body, and soul. Treatment has come a long way, but as we all know, cancer needs a cure!

I live with the possibility of recurrence, but I will not let that stop me from living my life. Cancer does not define me.

Whether you are a patient, survivor, caregiver, or loved one touched by cancer, your story can have an enormous impact. You can provide hope and inspiration to someone recently diagnosed with cancer or a patient undergoing therapy.