Community Corner

Q&A With a Breast Cancer Survivor

CABA President Noreen Klein is a breast cancer survivor; October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, we talked to Noreen Klein, president of the Carrollwood Area Business Association, about her journey as a breast cancer survivor.

Check it out below:

Patch: When were you diagnosed?

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Klein: October of 2008.

Patch: What was your reaction to the diagnosis?

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Klein: Believe it or not, I was quite calm.  I have 2 sisters and 2 daughters who were very upset so I was calm and kept my sense of humor through it all.

Patch: What types of treatments did you have to go through, and how difficult were they?

Klein: I chose a lumpectomy - needed to go in a second time.  Then as no lymph nodes were affected, I was lucky to be able to skip chemotherapy and just have radiation.  I was offered Mammosite radiation, which reduced the time to one week versus 6 weeks.  I was very lucky.

Patch: Does breast cancer run in your family?

Klein: I did not realize it at the time, but my father's mother had breast cancer.

Patch: How do you cope with the disease? Did you decide to join a nonprofit or volunteer, or speak on the issue and how it affected you?

Klein: As I mentioned, keeping a sense of humor through it all was very important.  I had previously been volunteering in several organizations (Operation Helping Hands, Paralyzed Veterans Association and hospice care) as I had lost both my parents between 2005 and 2006 and needed to be involved in something that mattered.

However, after I was declared "cured," I became more involved in CABA.  I decided to run for president as it was a three-year commitment, and I felt that I "had" to stay well in order to fulfill the commitment.  I also became more involved in volunteer projects, such as an equine rescue.  I do not necessarily "speak" on the issue but I have at times, made it known that I am a survivor and speak the praises of the American Cancer Society and my surgeon, Dr. Suzanne Lynn.

If you are a breast cancer survivor, or if you are hosting an event or fundraiser in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, email us at camille.spencer@patch.com. Or, call us at 813-230-4967.

 


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