Survivor stories: Verna Eaker

Age diagnosed: I was 69 years old when diagnosed with breast cancer.

How long have you been battling breast cancer? It has been one year and 11 months since I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

What is the hardest part of the cancer treatment/disease? Not knowing the diagnosis between the time of testing and the conference with my doctor. This time lag was extended because of a Thanksgiving holiday period and then the doctor being unavailable while he was on vacation.

Especially difficult was hearing the term "invasive" at the conference with the doctor.

What advice would you give to other women about cancer? My mother was a victim of cancer so I have always been concerned about cancer because of my family's history of cancer. When I developed unusual feelings in my breast and axillary area, I immediately became concerned because of my family history of cancer. I contacted my doctor for an examination promptly. I feel that early diagnosis led to a successful treatment of my cancer.