Janice F.

Janice is a nine and a half year breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed in January of 2006. Janice planned to have her 18th mammogram in December, but prolonged it because of daughter’s bat mitzvah. 2 days after the bat mitzvah, on Janice’s birthday, her gynecologist called her and told her that she needed to come in later to possibly get a biopsy and a breast ultrasound. She was then later diagnosed with breast cancer. Both of Janice’s parents, mom with ovarian and dad with pancreatic, past away due to cancer. A month later she had a double mastectomy and an enterectomy (ovaries). “Knowledge is power to make the right decisions for yourself and also have information for your family and children so that you can pass all of the information on so that they to can protect themselves.” Since then, Janice has had 7 breast reconstructions after surgery due to scar tissue. “The best part is, I am cancer free and making the most out of life.” Participated in her first relay for life right after she finished chemo and was at Carlmont, and she has been committed to it ever since. “Having a sense of humor, having a good attitude about it, not letting it stop you from doing the things you want to do in life, having supportive friends and family really helped me. What even helps me more is to talk about my experiences to other people, other women who are going through [cancer treatment].”

Favorite memory: After telling youngest daughter (8) about the breast cancer, her daughter said, “Nevermind about me Mommy, how are you doing?” Support of her family

Favorite place: Hiking group in the Bay Area, Sedona and Santa Fe, taking walks with friends

Ritenour, Anita. Sedona Sunset. 15 October 2010. Flickr. Web. 5 August 2015.