ATLANTA -- Women are told time and time again, a breast self exam can save a life. Emily Cochran said that's what saved her life and she wants other young women to pay attention.
“I think the one thing, the emotion that overcomes everything else, is that it's really empowering,” said Cochran.
The 31-year-old looks at beating breast cancer opportunity to raise awareness about the disease.
“I discovered it through a self breast exam and at the time, I was actually 22,” said Cochran.
A doctor dismissed the lump because Cochran was so young. She wasn't diagnosed until the following year, as a senior in college at age 23.
“It just wouldn't go away. It felt like a jelly bean or a pebble. I think at first it was emotional because I didn't know if I was going to live, if I was going to die, if I was going to go back to college,” said Cochran.
Doctors also found a lump in her other breast so Cochran had a double bilateral mastectomy to have both of her breasts removed.
“I had four rounds of chemo. All my hair fell out. I was sick,” said Cochran.
She said when she was diagnosed eight years ago, breast cancer in young women was rare, and new to her doctors.
“The closest person to my age they were treating was in their 40s so it was difficult. Breast cancer in young women is different. It's a lot more aggressive and a lot of times you catch it later and we didn't know what we were dealing with,” said Cochran.
Cochran believes young women with breast cancer face different obstacles than women who are diagnosed later in life. She said there’s dating issues and fertility issues. That’s why she’s pushing forward, and sharing her story.
“The fact that I can actually talk to one person and let them know this can potentially save your life overcomes any other sad, scary, any anxiety over it,” said Cochran.
Cochran is a volunteer with the Young Survival Coalition, a nonprofit committed to raising awareness about young breast cancer survivors. She will be riding in 'Tour de Pink' Saturday, Oct. 17 at Perimeter Mall. It's a fundraiser for YSC. CBS Atlanta News is a proud sponsor of the event.
Source: cbsatlanta.com
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