October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but for Dr. Cecelia McLoon, the pink ribbons and reminders carry a meaning far more personal than they once did. A breast cancer survivor, McLoon knows firsthand the importance of knowing your body, asking questions and advocating for yourself when something doesn’t feel right. She graciously agreed to share her story with Hazlehurst Now in hopes that her experience might encourage another woman to schedule a screening, seek a second opinion or simply listen to that quiet voice telling her not to wait. We are honored to share her words.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
By: Dr. Cecelia McLoon
For many years, I knew October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but honestly, I never gave it much thought. I knew breast cancer happened to women, and I knew mammograms were important. I started having annual mammograms at age 40 because I thought that was what I needed to do to make sure I didn’t have breast cancer. Then came May 2024.
Everything changed.
I wasn’t doing regular breast self-exams. But one day, almost by chance, I felt something—a lump in my breast. What makes this even more important is that I had received a mammogram only 10 weeks earlier. I went for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. The report came back saying: “Probably benign — recheck in six months.”
SIX MONTHS.
I could have accepted that answer. I could have waited. But something inside me told me that I needed to do more. I asked to be referred to a breast surgeon. I am forever grateful that I did.
That decision led to my diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma—breast cancer.
My cancer was high-grade and fast-growing. Had I simply waited six months as the report suggested, the outcome could have been very different.
My journey then became one I never expected to take.
Chemotherapy.
Radiation.
Several surgeries.
Fear.
Tears.
Prayers.
And a whole lot of faith.
There were days when I wondered what the future would hold. Days when I was scared. Days when I just had to put one foot in front of the other and keep going.
But today, two years later, I can say something I am incredibly thankful to say:
I am a breast cancer survivor. By the grace of God, I am still here.
The chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries are behind me, but my breast cancer journey isn’t completely over. Blood tests, scans, medications, and follow-up appointments are still part of my life as I continue doing everything I can to prevent a recurrence.
And that is why I am sharing something very personal with you.
Ladies, PLEASE advocate for yourselves.
If you are 40 or older and aren’t getting regular mammograms, please talk to your doctor about screening. If you have a family history of breast cancer, talk with your doctor about whether you should begin screening earlier or consider genetic testing.
And please—get to know your own breasts.
I used to be one of those women who didn’t regularly perform self-exams. I might have thought, “I wouldn’t know what I was looking for anyway.” But you don’t necessarily have to know exactly what you’re looking for. You need to know what is normal for you.
If something changes—a lump, thickening, skin changes, nipple changes, unusual soreness, a change in appearance, or anything that doesn’t seem right—don’t ignore it.
Get it checked. And if you aren’t comfortable with the answer you receive, speak up.
Ask questions.
Ask about additional imaging.
Ask for a second opinion.
Ask to see a breast surgeon.
You know your body better than anyone else. I am so thankful that I listened to that little voice telling me not to simply wait six months. That decision may have saved my life.
Breast surgeons don’t just perform surgery. They also evaluate and diagnose breast conditions. If you have a concern, don’t be afraid to ask for a referral.
Statistics tell us that approximately 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. And breast cancer doesn’t only happen to older women—it can affect women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond.
So please don’t think, “It won’t happen to me.” I never thought it would happen to me either. Today, I share my story because I pray it might help another woman.
Maybe it will encourage someone to schedule her mammogram.
Maybe it will encourage someone to perform a self-exam.
Maybe it will encourage someone to get a second opinion.
Maybe it will give someone the courage to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.
And if sharing what happened to me helps even one woman find her cancer earlier, then every difficult part of telling my story will be worth it.
Know your body.
Get your screenings.
Don’t ignore changes.
Ask questions.
Advocate for yourself.
And above all, never lose hope.
Today, I am a breast cancer survivor by the grace of God.
If you know a woman who needs to hear this, please share it with her…It could make a difference.
Dr. Cecelia McLoon is an educator who retired from Jeff Davis County Schools. She lives in Hazlehurst with her husband, Kelly. They have two children, Alexis and her husband Ryan and Logan and his wife, Taylor. She also has two granddaughters, Brooklyn and Caroline.
