Breast cancer survivor shares her story

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime according to Breast Cancer.org.

With the start of October also starts the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

For Susan Brooks, it started out as a routine annual mammogram. But this time something was different.

“They found a mass at that point. And then we started some testing from there,” said Brooks.

Brooks spent the next few weeks learning everything she could.

“I spent a lot of time reading about different types of breast cancer before I knew what type I had. I read up on all sorts of treatment options and surgery options and started researching doctors and surgeons things like that,” said Brooks.

That research and tests led her to a choice– having a double mastectomy.

“Making that decision is very personal for everyone who goes through this and And for me, it just was the best way to get the most quick resolution because I wasn’t going to say easy, but quick resolution,” said Brooks.

Brooks said she spent a lot of time talking to people. Other cancer patients – survivors, her family, and a counselor.

“One of the things that I thought that would be best would be not just looking at physical health, but also mental health. I started talking with a counselor locally, to kind of talk through things,” said Brooks.

Now that she is cancer-free, she encourages others to take that first step and get tested.

“It’s much better to go and to know and to take care of it early. The earlier that you find cancer, the easier it is to treat. And there are several ways that you can get treatment that are not nearly as invasive as a double mastectomy. So go ahead and do it. I mean, you’ve got a long time to live,” said Brooks.

Brooks is looking to help families impacted by cancer. Next, she will be helping with Camp Kesum. A camp designed to give kids with a parent diagnosed with cancer a place to come and connect with others going through the same thing.