The age for self-referral for breast cancer screening was lowered to 40 in NL but some say it should be lowered further. Photo by UnsplashArticle contentOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and for St. John’s resident, Amanda Power, this month marks her first as a survivor. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentIn February of this year, Power was diagnosed with hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. However, she is a bit of an anomaly because, in the time that she was diagnosed with having her tumour removed, it only took 37 days. Article contentArticle contentArticle contentPart of the reason she was seen and dealt with so quickly is that Power works as a nurse in the capital city and knew how to navigate the system and when to speak up. Article contentIt is because of her experience that Power decided to take to social media and share her story.Article content‘Oversharing to encourage others’Article contentFor Power, posting is therapeutic, but she’s not just doing it for herself — she wants to help other women and encourage them to advocate for themselves.Article contentShe said the point of chronicling her cancer journey online was to help save another person’s life, and in some cases, her posts inspired many. Article content“One of my friends got a mammogram and was diagnosed in early April,” said Power. Article content“Another one of my coworkers got screened. And she went and got her mammogram, and it ended up that she had breast cancer.”Article contentPower said with cancer, sometimes “oversharing” can be a good thing if it helps others take action.Article contentArticle content“Some days I wonder why I was given this, when so many others have a longer journey?” said Power. “I am not minimizing what I’ve been through, but I am accepting that everybody has their own path.”Article content Amanda Power has been sharing her journey through breast cancer online and hopes it helps other women through the same experience. Photo by Keith Gosse/The TelegramArticle contentArticle contentWhat cancer taught herArticle contentOne of the biggest lessons Power learned from her time living with cancer was her strength, but also realizing that it’s OK not to be OK. Article content“Sometimes being strong doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t have bad days,” said Power.Article contentBut, Power said, even though she is now cancer-free, she is still dealing with the aftermath of life after a diagnosis. Article contentFor example, she is navigating her children’s questions about her scars and body changes. Article content“I just think it’s adjusting and being nice to yourself, not being hard on yourself,” said Power. Article content‘The system is still failing women’Article contentWhile the province has lowered the age for the provincial breast screening program from 50 to 40, Power said there are areas in the system that are failing.
Stories of survival: Why age shouldnt keep NL women from breast cancer screening
