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30 percent of cancer survivors don't get regular screenings

Posted at 7:49 AM, Jul 31, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-31 11:29:33-04

A two-time breast cancer survivor has a plea to others fighting the same thing.

"In my case I would tell you please, pretty pretty please go to the doctor," said Annette Wesley, who is now cancer free.

The Wall Street Journal says thirty percent of women didn't go back for regular screenings after being treated for breast cancer. This is dangerous because if you've had breast cancer once, you're at a high risk for getting it again.

"Some of it is emotional. They've been through a lot. They've been through surgery, chemo, radiation. They need to go on with their lives," said Dr. Souzan El-Eid, with the Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada.

Wesley was only 32 years old when she was first diagnosed in 2015. Despite painful treatments, she kept on top of it. So when it came back in the exact same spot doctors caught it early.

She actually laughed when she was diagnosed; she knew she'd do whatever it took to beat it because of her young son.

"I don't want to be a statistic like as far as this cancer. I don't want to be the person that sits there and be like oh my God I got cancer, oh my God this is so, so sad. I don't want to be that person. I never wanted to be that person," said Wesley.

After months of staying home, Wesley is finally back at work this week and she's very happy about that.