Author Archive

Episode 8: Recovery

By on October 10, 2011 | Category: Featured Content,Webisodes | 5 Comments

The final episode of Previve culminates with Claudia undergoing a double-mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

Episode 7: Countdown

By on July 12, 2011 | Category: Featured Content,Webisodes | 4 Comments

Claudia enjoys the holidays with family and friends and begins the countdown to her mastectomy.

Episode 6: Me and the Media

By on April 21, 2011 | Category: Featured Content,Webisodes | 3 Comments

As Claudia’s story begins to spread, she must come to terms with increased attention and publicity.

Episode 5: Pink Pals

By on March 28, 2011 | Category: Featured Content,Webisodes | 1 Comment

While in LA, Claudia meets fellow Previvor Rebecca for the first time.

Episode 4: Natural Form

By on February 24, 2011 | Category: Featured Content,Webisodes | 3 Comments

In preparation for her surgery, Claudia travels to Los Angeles to visit with old friends and to capture her natural form.

Teri Smieja

By on February 21, 2011 | Category: Previvor Stories | 1 Comment

It may seem weird for a woman who has never had breast or ovarian cancer to think about it as much as I do. In fact, I thought about it so much I chose to have a prophylactic (refers to the removal of healthy tissue & fat) hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo oopherectomy (BSO) in October 2009, just a few days before my 39th birthday. I also had both of my breasts removed during a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy in February 2010.

While I don’t have breast or ovarian cancer, I do have a genetic mutation of my BRCA1 gene which makes my risk of getting breast cancer up to 87% and makes my ovarian cancer risk up to 44% over my lifetime. The average woman has an 8% chance. While science has come a long way, at this point in time, the best option for a woman with this mutation to avoid getting breast or ovarian cancer is to have her breasts and ovaries removed before the cancer strikes. In other words, the best way to fight cancer for us, to not get it in the first place, by removing our healthy breasts and ovaries. Read more …

Episode 3: The Glow of Claudia’s Heart

By on December 31, 2010 | Category: Featured Content,Webisodes | 6 Comments

Before Claudia can undergo her prophylactic double mastectomy she must first make sure her breasts are cancer-free. Watch as she undergoes a mammogram and MRI. She is joined by a new friend and sweetheart.

Tee Rouse

By on December 22, 2010 | Category: Previvor Stories | 1 Comment

I read your story in Home Journal and have now been keeping updated through your blog. WOW is all I can say to you. You are a very brave young person, to go through what you are going through is great. I do believe you will be/and are an inspiration to many, many young women. I have my own fun story- I too have been updating through a blog that my husband set up for to share my story with friends and family. I wouldn’t mind if you ever wanted to check it out or share with friends/family it is Teesblog.com. Read more …

Shelly Walker

By on December 22, 2010 | Category: Previvor Stories | 1 Comment

Last night on NBC, I watched you tell about your upcoming surgery. I had the same surgery in February of “1985” and reconstruction in May of 1985. I don’t regret it a bit!  I had lost 2 aunts to breast cancer, but back then, there was no testing to tell us if we carried the gene. Read more …

Candace Lamour

By on December 22, 2010 | Category: Previvor Stories | 2 Comments

Hi, my name is Candace Lamour and I am from New Jersey. I am now 39.  I was diagnosed in Aug 2007 with BC at 37 while breast-feeding my second child.  I found a lump.  I knew right away that I had BC. Read more …

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