A New Beginning: My Journey as a Breast Cancer Survivor

From the desk of the Vice President of the Black Women For Self organization - a breast cancer survivor story rooted in love, triumph, and lessons in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

My name is Debbie Scott, and in 2017, my life changed forever when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in my right breast. The cause, I believe, was my constant habit of resting my cell phone against it. In 2018, I underwent a six-hour surgery that removed not only the cancer but also all of the lymph nodes under my right arm. During that same surgery, an implant was placed in my right breast and a reduction was done on my left breast.

“This experience has taught me to take a long, hard look in the mirror. At this point in my life, I chose me. ”

I remember telling God that He truly had a sense of humor—because by His grace and mercy, I was able to receive this life-saving surgery completely free. Thanks to my good health at the time, I didn’t need chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Instead, I was prescribed a preventative drug called Tamoxifen, which I took faithfully for five years. While the treatment journey wasn’t as harsh as it could have been, the emotional and spiritual lessons I learned along the way were life-changing.

One of the blessings that came out of this experience was the privilege of encouraging and counseling young women who were terminally ill. I shared with them what I knew to be true—that God Almighty is a healer, that prayer changes things, and that giving up is never the answer. At 66 years old now, I look back on that chapter of my life with deep gratitude. I not only survived, but I discovered more about who I am, who I was meant to be, and what God was preparing me for. Before my diagnosis, I had struggled with very large breasts that caused back pain and forced me to spend money on expensive bras just to find some relief. I knew I needed a reduction, but without medical insurance, it felt impossible. Yet once again, God opened a door. I was able to receive Medicaid benefits that covered the surgery which ultimately saved my life.

I’ll never forget April 24, 2018—my 59th birthday. That was the day of my surgery. When I received the call confirming it would be scheduled for that day, I cried from the shock. But my daughter Chaila, with her wisdom and strength, looked me in the eyes and said: “Mama, think of this as your new beginning.” Those words carried me through. And she was right—it was a new beginning.

Today, I proudly say that I am a seven-year breast cancer survivor. My story is one of faith, family, and resilience. It is proof that God’s grace makes the impossible possible. This experience has taught me to take a long, hard look in the mirror. At this point in my life, I chose me. I stopped caring about or worrying about what others thought about a decision I made to improve my quality of life. For the first time in a long time, I’m loving myself and living my best life full of happiness and unspeakable joy. Chaila, Jamaal, and Jackson were my reasons to fight for the woman that I’ve become. And most of all, it is a reminder that no matter how hard the journey gets, there is always a reason to keep going.

Debbie Scott,

Vice President

Black Women For Self