Geralyn Lucas was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was only 27. Most women don't get breast cancer until well into their 40's, possibly even later. Still, about every 3 minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States, and it is the leading cancer among white and black women. Thousands of women die from this cancer every year. Early detection gives a woman a much higher chance of survival, though.
Ms. Lucas had a Mastectomy, that is, they removed her entire breast. She took control of her disease though, wearing lipstick to her mastectomy, and high heels and short skirts to her chemotherapy treatments. She didn't wear a wig when her hair began to fall out. Despite the risks of her breast cancer, she had two children, and survives strong today.
A movie based on her book, Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy, is showing on Lifetime Monday at nine, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She leads the campaign to spread awareness, and hopefully many women will be saved by her efforts.
