BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH 2026

 

It’s October, which means it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you’re new to The Middle Page, I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) in 2013. I want to take a minute to explain what TNBC is because, before my diagnosis, I had never even heard of it.

TNBC is an invasive form of breast cancer that can grow and spread more quickly than some other types. It gets its name because the cancer cells test negative for three things: estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and the HER2 protein. This means that some of the treatments used for other breast cancers, such as hormone therapy and certain HER2-targeted drugs, aren’t effective against TNBC. Chemotherapy is often a key part of treatment, although treatment plans have evolved over the years.

Here’s something I’ve noticed: Whenever I tell someone I had TNBC, and they know what it is, they often respond, “Oh, you had the bad kind.” And my first thought is always, Aren’t they all bad? No one wants a cancer diagnosis, and every type of breast cancer deserves to be taken seriously. But TNBC has unique challenges, which is why I feel so strongly about educating women about it.

TNBC can affect women of any age or race, but it is disproportionately diagnosed in Black women, who are also more likely to develop it at younger ages. When I was in NYC a few weeks back for the Cancer Culture fashion show, there were several girls there (white) who were in their 20s and 30s with TNBC. It seems it’s getting younger across the board. I wish we understood more about why certain women develop this type of cancer. Researchers continue to study genetics, environmental exposures, and other risk factors, but no single environmental cause has been proven.

Because it’s October, I want to remind everyone how important it is to stay current with recommended breast cancer screenings and to pay attention to changes in your breasts. My cancer was discovered during my annual mammogram, but it wasn’t a tumor that showed up on the images. It was a cluster of suspicious calcifications, while the actual tumor was hiding within a duct. I share this because breast cancer doesn’t always present as a lump you can feel. My experience was a powerful reminder that screening matters, even when you feel perfectly fine.

I’m especially passionate about educating younger women about TNBC because you are never too young to be aware of breast cancer. I’ve recently been chatting with a young woman in her early 40s who was just diagnosed! Stories like hers remind us this doesn’t affect only older women.

It has now been 13 years since my diagnosis (Praise Jesus!), and I’m grateful that treatment options for TNBC have continued to advance. While it can be an aggressive cancer, there are effective treatments, and research continues to bring new options and hope to patients.

So, please talk to your daughters, daughters-in-law, nieces, granddaughters, and the young women in your lives about breast health. Encourage them to know their family history, understand their personal risk, and talk with their healthcare providers about when to start screening. Follow recommended screening guidelines, and don’t ignore a new lump or other unusual breast changes just because you’re young or recently had a normal mammogram.

I used to think breast cancer was something you worried about when you got older. Boy, was I wrong! If you’re due for a mammogram, make that appointment. And if something doesn’t feel right, get it checked.

Breast cancer awareness is about more than wearing pink for a month. It’s about education, early detection, research, and making sure the women we love know what they need to know. If sharing my story helps even one woman ask a question, schedule a screening, or recognize a warning sign, then I will keep sharing it.

 

Now, because we love fashion around here, I wanted to show a feminine look for the upcoming holiday season. This could be a beautiful look for Thanksgiving dinner, low-key cocktails, or a date/girls’ night out. I love this stunning tie-front lace top, which I can pair with silky pants or jeans. The Jacquard pants I am wearing have an elastic waist and flow beautifully when you walk. Both pieces are from Cami NYC, and check out their holiday looks HERE. I paired this look with a zebra-print sandal and a brown bag (similar).

This has been a super busy week for me with lots of work, but all good things. I’ve also been helping my mom clean out her closet… Shoot me! I am so excited; I was asked to attend a small dinner tonight for Beth Hutchens, the founder of Foundrae jewelry. I have been collecting charms for the necklace I wear all the time for about 12 years. My husband gives me one for every “cancerversary” and a few for our anniversary. I call my necklace my “neck-mess.”  Anyway, I’m so excited to meet her and attend the dinner.

It’s a busy weekend for us too. We’re having dinner out both nights and heading to the SMU game on Saturday. No rest for the weary!

I hope you all have a great day! Thank you so much for reading this very important post (at least it is for me!)

Stay safe and Be well! xx