Marion Woman Beats Aggressive Cancer After Self-Exam

Michele Treese had never even had the flu, but a self-exam in October 2023 revealed a lump that would change her life forever.

The 52-year-old Marion educator discovered she had stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. Without treatment, doctors estimated she had just 11 months to live.

Today, Treese is cancer-free. Her journey from diagnosis to recovery took 18 months of intensive treatment, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and surgery.

"It was surreal," Treese said of hearing her diagnosis. But shock quickly turned to determination.

Despite working in healthcare, Treese never considered breast cancer a personal threat. She had no significant family history and had undergone regular mammograms without problems.

That self-exam saved her life. After feeling the lump, she contacted her doctor immediately and pushed for testing.

Dr. Blair Harkness, a gynecologic oncologist at Mission Health's Hope Women's Cancer Center, says women should begin discussing breast cancer risk with their doctor by age 25. Most women start routine mammograms at 40, but individual factors may require earlier screening.

Only 5% to 10% of breast cancers are hereditary. The vast majority of women who develop breast cancer have no family history of the disease.

Early detection makes a dramatic difference in treatment options and survival rates. Mammograms can identify abnormalities before lumps become noticeable, but women should also watch for changes between screenings.

Why This Inspires

Treese wants everyone to know that taking action today could save your life tomorrow. She understands that busy schedules make it easy to postpone checkups, but she's living proof that early detection works.

She also emphasizes that men can develop breast cancer too and should never ignore concerning symptoms.

"If something doesn't feel right today, get it checked today," Treese said.

Beyond survival, her experience has brought unexpected gifts. She now finds encouragement in other survivors' stories and has gained a deeper appreciation for life.

"This was a terrible, ugly experience, and the other side of it has been beautiful in many, many ways," she said.

Treese's message is simple: Don't wait for symptoms, don't assume you're not at risk, and never postpone that mammogram.