So My Story Doesn’t Become Your Story

This is Why I Do What I Do

Most of you know that I was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer two months after an ‘all clear’ mammogram and ultrasound. What? Needless to say, that diagnosis was the biggest shock of my life. How in the world could this have happened? I quickly learned the answer.

In the words of my doctor at the Mayo Clinic, ‘This is not the fault of anyone, but rather, this is the fault of our technology.’ In other words, our current breast cancer screening technologies are inadequate for women with dense breasts like me, and possibly you. This is an undisputable fact, but it is not widely known. Ah-ha! Now what?

It’s pretty simple: I don’t want what happened to me to happen to you, or anyone else.

Therefore, all of my efforts are about getting women with dense breasts the screening they deserve to have, the screening that finds almost all of their cancers. My book, my speaking, my advocacy and education, my social media activity are all so that we can advance the system to do better, and it is possible!

With that said, all of that work is really just a means to and end. What then, is the ‘end’?

It is less kids without moms, less grandkids without grandmas, less husbands without wives, and fewer best friends lost. It is about finding breast cancer earlier while it is still curable so more women with breast cancer become survivors.

It is so my story doesn’t become your story.

Much Love,
Leslie Ferris Yerger