Elizabeth Edwards shares her experiences with breast cancer

The wife of presidential hopeful John Edwards told a Rochester audience today she's still trying to overcome her fears about cancer.

Elizabeth Edwards received a standing ovation as she took the stage at the Convention Center for the annual Highland Breast Cancer Luncheon. She spoke to hundreds of cancer survivors about her own experience with breast cancer.

Edwards was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in 2004 while her husband was on the campaign trail. Her cancer returned earlier this year.

 “Cancer doesn't cherry pick the most vulnerable, the loneliest or the weakest. It's an equal opportunity disease,” says Edwards.  “It does not care how much fight we have in us or how many people we have to live for, and that's probably the most frightening thing of all.”

The money raised at the luncheon will benefit the Highland Breast Imaging Center.  In the last 13 years, the event has raised more than $300,000.