5 things no one told me about breast cancer

A picture of Michelle Hutchison as she was going through breast cancer treatment.

Michelle Hutchison is a breast cancer survivor.

After finding a lump in her breast during a routine self-exam, Michelle was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer in October 2016. She was 25.

Today, at 27, Michelle is proud to say she beat breast cancer with the help of her dedicated care team at Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Rebecca Fortney Breast Center. She now gives time helping other women in their breast cancer journey.

For this Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Michelle shared some of the advice she gives her peers; things she never could have expected during her own treatment.

Below are her words.

 

“No one told me…

…the importance of fertility treatments and freezing eggs.

…how remaining positive truly can make the difference in treatments. It’s hard to not be in a dark place going through cancer treatments, but it’s important to remember to laugh and smile.

…that not every breast cancer is the same and not all treatments are the same.

…that social media and movies do not portray a cancer journey as what it is.

…IT IS OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY AND IT IS FINE TO NOT BE FINE.

Photo courtesy of Michelle Hutchison

With a growing number of cancer survivors still in their reproductive years, advances in cancer treatment make it possible to restore the reproductive future of cancer patients. Learn more about fertility preservation.

Originally published Oct. 8, 2018. Last updated Sept. 29, 2020.