In 2014, Emmy-winning TV Host, Samantha Harris was just 40 years old when she felt a lump in her breast while she was getting dressed. This was just eleven days after she had a clear yearly mammogram, so her doctors reassured her it was likely nothing. Samantha felt otherwise. “I just knew something wasn’t right. Four months later, my inner voice was screaming at me,” she said. After multiple opinions, an inconclusive biopsy and eventually, a lumpectomy, a final pathology report confirmed it was stage 2b invasive breast cancer.
Her treatment included a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Her diagnosis left a lasting impact. Samantha became deeply invested in understanding the environmental and lifestyle factors that may influence breast cancer risks, since she did not have a family history and tested negative for any breast cancer gene mutations. That curiosity led her to get involved with research like Komen’s ShareForCures® research registry, furthering her education and ultimately, sharing what she was learning with others.
Being Her Own Advocate
Samantha’s inner voice prompted her to keep pushing for answers, eventually leading to her breast cancer diagnosis. She embraced the full spectrum of conventional treatment. She also began shifting her lifestyle, immersing herself in research about nutrition and wellness. This marked the beginning of what would later become her wellness brand, Your Healthiest Healthy.
She admits the lifestyle overhaul didn’t happen overnight. “I didn’t change everything overnight. I didn’t do a 180 — it wasn’t manageable or sustainable. I took small steps,” she explained. For her, it was all about empowerment — making informed decisions for herself instead of being told what to do.
Samantha’s diagnosis also launched her into advocacy. She began sharing her story publicly, appearing on shows like Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight and The Doctors to help others recognize the power of knowing their own bodies. “We have to be more a part of our medical choices,” she shared. “In the world of oncology, as a patient, you can feel like you’re drinking out of a fire hose when you’re trying to take a sip of water. Patient advocates are so important for that, but so is learning some of the language on your own.”
Groundhog Day
In 2024 Samantha celebrated her 50th birthday, 20th anniversary with her husband and her 10-year anniversary from being diagnosed with breast cancer on a trip to Croatia. It was there — by the beach, in the middle of what should have been a joyful occasion — that she felt a small lump in the same area of her original diagnosis. “It was just like Groundhog Day,” she recalled. “It immediately gave me pause.”
She didn’t wait. As soon as she got back from Croatia, she once again leaned into her gut instinct and called her surgical oncologist. “The same as last time, I didn’t think it was cancer, but I just wanted to make 100% sure that it wasn’t.”
After three different opinions and eventually, a biopsy, pathology confirmed a local regional recurrence. “To put everyone’s mind at ease who is reading, there is only about a 5% chance of local recurrence after a mastectomy, but the position of where my original tumor was, was right up against the skin, which meant there was a strong possibility of recurrence. At the time of my initial mastectomy, no one told me that there may be some remnant cells left behind,” she said.
Faced with difficult decisions, Samantha consulted with her medical team. “I decided I was going to choose a more functional approach this time around,” she said.
Her decision was rooted in her own experience. While she respected her care team’s guidance, she pursued a path that balanced scientific insight with her holistic values. “At the end of the day, it’s your body, your decision. You get to ask questions. You get to ask for a second opinion. And you get to say no.”*
ShareForCures for the Future
As a journalist who believes in the power of science, Samantha was immediately intrigued when she heard about Komen’s ShareForCures initiative. The research registry allows people who have or have had breast cancer to share their health data to help advance and diversify research efforts.
“When I was diagnosed in 2014, I was not made aware of any sort of registry like this. It would have been a no-brainer,” she said. When she heard about ShareForCures, she signed up right away. “I immediately thought, what a brilliant and necessary thing. Komen is known for such incredible research and funding. And we need that more now than ever.”
Samantha knows that data drives answers — and progress. As someone with two young daughters, the stakes are personal. “This registry combines people from all different backgrounds, all different locations, all different diagnosis of breast cancer and compiles them into one place so that we don’t have to worry about getting information based on a small segment or a small racial population or economic population. And to me, that is the most robust data we can ask for as a survivor and for generations to come.”
Pain to Purpose
Following her first diagnosis, Samantha channeled her energy into her wellness platform, Your Healthiest Healthy. In 2018, she released a book by the same name — a guide to living a cleaner, healthier, more empowered life. “There wasn’t one book that just said, ‘Here’s a great foundation. Here’s a starting point.’ So I wrote one.”
Her goal was never to tell others what to do but to offer tools and encouragement so readers could make the best choices for themselves. That philosophy — empowerment through education — carried over to her podcast, which launched in May 2024. “I had over 200 expert interviews and coaching sessions from a private wellness community. I realized more people need to hear this.”
Through diagnosis, recurrence and recovery, Samantha continues to advocate — not only for herself but for others. Whether she’s sharing her story on a podcast, contributing to research through ShareForCures or speaking as a Komen Ambassador, her message remains clear: knowledge is power and your voice matters.
“Knowing that I can help…gives me peace,” she said. “Because if what I share or contribute can prevent someone else from going through what I did, that means everything.”
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.
