Why Leaving a Breast Cancer Legacy Matters to Me

This year, I’ll be 68. As I realize that I may have more years behind me than ahead, I want to create a legacy for my children. One of the best ways I can achieve this is by helping them understand my life. There are so many things they don’t know about me.

I’ve started recording some of my childhood memories in hopes of helping them understand how I became the person I am today. As I relive these memories, they bring both smiles and tears. I’ve experienced many happier times than sad, and I certainly prefer that they remember the good things. However, to truly grasp how I arrived at this point in my life, I must also share the sorrowful times — and the most significant of those was my journey through breast cancer. 

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I wanted to document everything. I began writing a blog because I knew my children and grandchildren, being part of the digital age, would be more inclined to read an online journal rather than the paper ones I had previously kept. Day by day, I recorded my thoughts as I grappled with what cancer would mean for me. Writing turned out to be therapeutic, allowing me to process my feelings in ways I hadn’t expected. 

I took pictures whenever I went for tests or treatments. I wanted to provide my family with an accurate representation of my experience. I also aimed to prepare the female members of my family for news I hoped they would never have to hear. I wish I had received such a gift before I listened to the words, “You have cancer.” Sadly, the only person related to me who could have shared this was my mother-in-law, who belonged to a generation that kept these issues quiet. It wasn’t until she asked me to accompany her to a breast ultrasound that I truly understood the magnitude of what she was facing. Little did I know my personal journey would begin just a few years later. 

While cleaning out her house after her passing, I found one of her breast forms in the top drawer of a dresser. Holding it in my hands made me cry. My mother-in-law, a brave woman, never let on how devastated she felt after receiving her diagnosis. She didn’t discuss how Tamoxifen turned her into an emotional wreck; instead, she endured it and did her best to protect us from the ugliness of cancer. She was a kind and caring person. I know that if she had thought to do so, she would have recorded essential memories for my husband and me. Rather than writing them in a journal or documenting them online, she lived her life with cancer the best way she knew how. That was the beautiful legacy we will always cherish. 

I’ve tried to do the same with my life, but I’ve taken it a step further. I’ve chosen to document my cancer journey by participating in breast cancer awareness projects, joining walks, contributing to research, writing letters, participating in scientific studies, creating art, donating to cancer research, and doing my best to provide a sense of meaning and connection to future generations.

One of the main ways I’ve worked to provide a lasting cancer legacy is to make sure our family’s breast cancer history has been documented. I’ve also done my best to advocate for breast cancer testing.

Each year, as Breast Cancer Awareness Month rolls around, I push hard to remind my daughters to have their breasts checked. Being proactive in breast healthcare is a crucial part of the legacy I want to leave behind.

Another part of my breast cancer legacy involves fundraising. Each year, I participate in raising financial support for those who may otherwise be unable to afford medical testing. I’m especially concerned for female college students.

Breast cancer legacy projects can give a sense of value and purpose. They can also help determine what I can provide future generations. It’s so important to create a sense of hope during challenging times. Leaving a legacy is one way I can make a lasting impact on others.

This piece reflects the author’s personal experience and perspective as a breast cancer survivor. For medical advice, please consult your health care provider.

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