Surviving Breast Cancer: A Daughter's Story

All month long, News 8 has been profiling breast cancer survivors.  We are sharing their stories to raise awareness about the importance of early detection.

This past May, Kendra Outlaw got the news no one wants to hear.  "Dr. O'Connell wanted to do a biopsy and the next day, the 15th,  I found out the results and found out it was breast cancer," she says. 

She had stage 2 breast cancer. "Anytime anyone gets a disease that could kill you it's hard thinking about what might happen to that person.  She seems to be doing fine and I think she'll make it just like her mother did," says Kendra's husband Jesse. 

Kendra's mother was a breast cancer survivor of 17 years.   So she knew what the battle ahead would be like.  "From the time my mom was diagnosed, I built myself up,  Every year, every day, it's going to come or it doesn't come.   I'm prepared," Kendra thought.  

Her mother's battle prepared her mentally.  "I think that's where I get my spirit and motivation from," she adds.  And, it also may have saved her life.  She started getting yearly mammograms early at the age of 30. 

"Any woman who's mother or sister has had breast cancer is very aware, so they tend to come in for their testing and they need extra re-assurance," 
says Dr. Avice O'Connell of Highland Breast Imaging.  She says increased awareness among all women, has made a big difference throughout the years. 
"Mortality from breast cancer has gone down 30 percent in the last 20 years." 

Kendra is doing well. She is finished with her treatments, but will still be on medication for the next five years.  "It's good to be positive.  I went in dancing and they hate to see me leave," adds Kendra.