HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · SEPTEMBER 2018
ALEXANDRIA
WHITAKER’S
“KNOWING MY
BODY, SAVED ME”
A
lexandria Whitaker’s own battle with
breast cancer has turned her into a
champion of the downtrodden. With her
new website, Whitty’s Titty Committee,
she’s taken her story and mobilized for
the whole world to see that you can still
glow and thrive while going through such a traumatic
event. She hopes to serve as a point of inspiration for
other young women who’ve been diagnosed, sharing
stories and tips she learned during her treatment. This is
her story.
Shortly after the start of this new year, I was visiting one
of my friends for the weekend. We were getting ready
to go out, and I was wearing a tank top, so I applied an
adhesive bra—something I did all the time. It had only
been about two weeks since the last time I wore one,
but this time, I very clearly felt a lump in my right breast.
I have no family history, was super healthy and in shape,
and was only 24 years old, so I really didn’t think much
about it and went out for a fun night.
The next morning, I remembered the lump. So I called
up my friend, a nurse, and asked her about it. We both
agreed that it was probably nothing, but I decided to get
an appointment with the gynecologist as soon as I got
home. That appointment led to a series of tests, including
a breast ultrasound, which led to a mammogram and a
biopsy. I was eventually diagnosed with Stage I, Triple
Positive, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.
Following my diagnosis in February, I met with a series
of doctors before selecting my care team. My treatment
plan including five rounds of intensive chemotherapy
and a double mastectomy. When everything started out,
I was super nervous and felt totally alone. I didn’t know
anyone else who had gone through this, especially at
such a young age! But I knew other women like me were
out there and they, too, craved a support system. For
that reason, along with many others, I was compelled to
be open about my story and share my journey with the
world. I’ve talked with local newspapers as well as national
outlets and know that I am making a difference through
being open, which has been the best outcome I could’ve
asked for from this experience.
That must have been terrifying, coming out so brazenly
while you were going through such as tough time
yourself. Is there any moment in particular that inspired
you to become an advocate and public face?
After countless conversations with my doctors and
many of my friends, it became clear to me just how low
the awareness really is that breast cancer can happen
to anyone, regardless of age. Fewer than five percent of
diagnosed women in the U.S. are below the age of 40,
meaning the resources available for young breast cancer
warriors are few and far between—but we still exist!
For this reason, I quickly developed the drive to raise
awareness among young women and to also create
a support system for my peers near and far who are
going through the same thing.
20 HEALTHY MAGAZINE