For Laurel, breast cancer was always a possibility. With a strong family history and a confirmed CHEK2 inherited gene mutation, each annual mammogram carried a question: Is this the year? In July of 2024, the answer finally came.
“I went in for my regular mammogram on July 5,” Laurel recalled. “The next week, they called and said they saw something. I scheduled the diagnostic mammogram immediately. I’m the type of person who says, ‘Let’s address it, let’s get it done.’”
While her doctor expressed they weren’t alarmed by the lump, Laurel pushed for further testing. “The doctor suggested waiting six months, but I said no. I work at Komen — I know how important early detection is.” A biopsy followed. Then, on July 18 — her wedding anniversary — Laurel received the call confirming her diagnosis: stage 1 invasive lobular carcinoma.
From Getting the Call to Making the Calls
The moment Laurel heard the words “you have breast cancer,” she didn’t hesitate. As a Komen employee and someone who has been on the receiving end of many calls for loved one’s diagnoses, she knew she needed to tell her family right away.
“I called my mom and just told her sit down and listen,” Laurel said. “My mom just responded, ‘Okay, we’re finally there.’ She knew it was a possibility but had always hoped we’d never reach that point.” Laurel’s mother’s perspective was clear: This is a blip on the screen. It doesn’t define you.
Guided by that mindset and similar perspectives from friends who are also survivors, Laurel took charge of her treatment. “I knew for years that if I ever faced breast cancer, I wanted a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction.” The decision proved wise for her. While her tumor was smaller than a fingernail, doctors found atypical cells in her other breast. Because of her early diagnosis and proactive approach, she avoided chemotherapy and radiation.
Treatment and Trials
Once her decision was made, everything moved quickly. Laurel had her mastectomy on Sept. 13, just weeks after her diagnosis. “I was so ready to get on with the next steps,” she says. “I didn’t want to wait.”
Recovery came with the standard challenges, but Laurel felt supported every step of the way. “My husband was incredible. He made sure I had everything I needed. My mom came for the first few days. The next week, my best friend came and stayed with me and helped me wash and dry my hair, one friend brought food on her way to work, really everyone made such a difference.”
Laurel was also touched by her fellow Komen employees making T-shirts in honor of her experience and showing their support by wearing them across the U.S. “They even reached out to my friends and family, and they got shirts as well,” Laurel said.
Her experience deepened her understanding of what breast cancer patients go through — knowledge that fueled her passion for advocacy. “I already knew the importance of advocacy but seeing through the lens of a patient made quite the difference. The access to care, the expense of everything, it’s one thing to talk about it, it’s another thing to actually live it.”
Read more of her story and what to expect with a mastectomy
ShareForCures® Matters
Breast cancer doesn’t look the same for everyone. Even within Laurel’s own family, those with and without inherited genetic mutations were diagnosed with different types of breast cancer. “It’s a bigger puzzle than anyone expects,” she explained. “That’s why research is so critical. I’ve seen those advancements personally. Thanks to Oncotype DX, it was determined that I didn’t need to have chemotherapy or radiation. My next steps included ovarian suppression for two years and an aromatase inhibitor for the next five years.”
For Laurel, joining Komen’s ShareForCures research registry was an easy decision. “The more information we share, the better researchers can understand this disease. My story isn’t the same as my cousin’s or my mother’s. Where do we put all this data? Into a system like ShareForCures, so researchers can start connecting the dots.”
Joining the Registry
Laurel wants people to understand that participating in ShareForCures is quick and non-invasive. “It’s something you can do from home. You don’t have to go to a clinic or the lab. You’re not waiting on someone else. It’s on your timetable and when you’re comfortable,” she said. She completed the online process in 10 minutes, referencing her doctor’s reports as she answered questions about her diagnosis and treatment. After joining, the process remained easy, even when she received a saliva collection kit at home. “No needles, nothing invasive — just a little bit of saliva in a tube that could help unlock new treatments or even a cure,” she said.
Laurel knows she was fortunate to find her cancer early, but she also knows not everyone has that opportunity. “If my experience can contribute to a breakthrough, why wouldn’t I share it?”
For Laurel, sharing her data is part of the bigger picture. “I hope researchers can make faster breakthroughs related to the CHEK2 mutation my family carries. I also want the road for all of those diagnosed after me to be easier because we have made breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment thanks to the data collected from breast cancer patients like me through ShareForCures and other research programs.”
Her story is now part of something bigger and that’s exactly where she wants it to be.
Statements and opinions expressed are that of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their healthcare provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.
