Diane Rivera

In 1998, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was 56. I was 30.

My mom had what they call “radical lumpectomy” in numerous spots of her breast. She decided when she was diagnosed that the only way she could fight it was she had to surround herself with positive thoughts. She was clear from the cancer for several years. She was always an inspiration to me because of that attitude. I know that I am 50 percent more likely to develop breast cancer due to my mom’s having had it.

Please get the mammograms done yearly. If you have a direct relative with it, get your first one done by 35.