Photo: Courtesy
Samantha Harriswas changing for a workout in October 2013 when she felt a lump on her breast.
“I immediately saw my OB-GYN, she told me it was nothing. A month later I saw my internist, he told me it was nothing,” the formerDancing With the Starscohost recalls in this week’s issue of PEOPLE.
Despite getting no answers, Harris couldn’t shake the feeling that something was seriously wrong, and in March 2014 a visit to a surgical oncologist led to a diagnosis of stage 2 breast cancer. “Not being afraid to get a second or third opinion is what saved my life,” she admits.
Courtesy
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The following May, Harris underwent a double mastectomy — where doctors discovered the cancer had also spread to her lymph nodes — and later had breast reconstruction in August.
“The recovery was challenging, but the double mastectomy allowed me to feel like I could move ahead with my life,” Harris explains, noting that she celebrates nine years cancer-free this year.
“We need to really make sure we’re making an effort for preventative care for ourselves so that we can have that longevity,” she explains. “I can help people understand that we can take even better control of our wellbeing in small, manageable steps that aren’t overwhelming.”
“At 49, I’m healthier than I’ve ever been,” says Harris. “We’re able to take control of our health more than we realize.”
For more on Samantha Harris, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, or subscribehere.
source: people.com
