LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — October is recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we're focusing on telling stories of local survivors.
We spoke with an unlikely patient who might never have known she had cancer, had it not been for an unusual symptom that brought her to a doctor.
Aria Carter spent much of the last year in and out of the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute after learning she had breast cancer at only 19 years old.
She had many appointments for treatment while fighting breast cancer but said she recently finished her final radiation.
"I completed treatment September 4th with my last radiation treatment,” she said. “Honestly, like, I look back at the pictures and I’m like, oh my goodness. How did I go through that? How did that happen?”
Aria represents a growing number of younger women who are being affected by breast cancer.
She said she first noticed a bump in one of her breasts last year and might have ignored it until she felt a burning sensation, causing enough discomfort for her to have it examined. Looking back, she said that symptom may have saved her young life.
“I can only think that the tumor would have grown. That's all I can think. If it didn't happen, I would not have gone to the doctor. I'm very grateful that it did happen," she described.
Dr. Daniela Ochoa, a breast oncology surgeon at UAMS, treated Aria for what turned out to be a malignant tumor. She explained that the burning feeling Aria experienced is not a normal symptom of breast cancer.
“In breast disease, what is most common is that cancers don't cause pain. But part of what is most important in breast health in general is being familiar with your own body, being familiar with what your own breast tissue feels like,” Dr. Ochoa said.
Aria’s treatment plan incorporated surgery, chemotherapy, and proton radiation as well. UAMS has a proton radiation center, which was incorporated into her treatment. Dr. Ochoa said Aria came through the treatment beautifully.
“She has done wonderful. All of her treatment has gone very well. She's done great," she said.
Aria attends UCA and is planning to become a pediatric oncology nurse. She admitted that it was tough watching her friends continue nursing school while she was fighting for her life.
“It was rough, really hard for me, just especially at my age, with my hair and my breast, like two of the most feminine qualities of a woman being taken from me. It was hard, but I made it through," Aria said.
Aria added that she's honored to be an example to other young women, who learned of her story and took action for their breast health.
“It makes me feel really good. I've had so many people like message me and told me, 'Hey, I had a cyst, actually, but I went to the doctor, and I got it checked because of you. And I like that,” Aria said.
One unexpected source of support along her journey is Dr. Ochoa's ability to talk with Aria’s Spanish-speaking mother in her primary language.
“I love it so much. Whenever she found out that I had a doctor who was bilingual, it was very great for her. And a lot of the conversations that they would have, I’d just sit there and listen like, okay, awesome. They get to talk to each other. I love it," Aria said.
Dr. Ochoa agreed, saying, “It really helps to be able to communicate in their native language, which really is, like I said, kind of a relationship-building sort of factor. And I’m so happy that we are able to be able to offer that to our community and our patients here in Arkansas."
Now, with her battle behind her, Aria has a message for other young women, that sums up the reason October is all about breast cancer awareness.
“I would say your body is you. You got to take care of you, and at the end of the day, you only have yourself. So, make sure that everything is all right, and just thrive in life," she said.
Dr. Ochoa said that breast cancer screening messages typically target older populations where the cancer is more common. However, she recommends all women follow up on any changes in the breasts. In Aria’s age group, it’s more common for any lump or mass to be benign.