Spreading breast cancer awareness: One E-Teamer’s personal story

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the US. With over 300,000 diagnoses each year and 4 million breast cancer survivors nationwide, chances are you know someone who’s been personally affected. While early detection is key, candid conversation and support are essential to successful treatment, as well.

To help our Ernest family understand the true impact of breast cancer, Becky Dunn, Merchandiser in our Las Vegas division, is once again sharing her story and encouraging everyone to be aware and get involved.

Taking charge of her healing journey

Both Becky and her twin sister Kathy were diagnosed with breast cancer within a year of each other. For anyone facing this diagnosis, Becky emphasizes the importance of creating a support network. Her family, sister, and other women who had experienced treatment were her lifeline.

These women helped her make the very personal decision of opting for a double mastectomy and choosing not to pursue reconstructive surgery. Despite feeling pressure from her male doctors, “I talked about wanting to go flat,” Becky says, “which is an option doctors don’t bring up a lot. They assume women only want implants, but don’t explain how complicated that surgery is compared to no reconstruction.” Her sister Kathy had the option of DIEP flap surgery, but Becky wasn’t a candidate for that.

Becky turned to her online support group for help in making the extremely personal decision about reconstruction, and was immediately put in contact with other survivors who were more than happy to offer their own experiences. “I’m now that person who can share my story and offer support,” Becky says. She now talks about her surgery experience so more people can be better informed about all the options.

Her message to anyone facing a diagnosis? Find your support group. Stay curious and do the research so you know what to expect. Find a doctor who’s willing to listen to you, not just talk at you. And advocate for yourself — don’t be afraid to ask for a second (or third) opinion. It’s your health, and your choice.

Grateful for her Ernest family

In addition to her husband, who was “an amazing partner through all of it,” the rest of her family and friends, and her online community, Becky was blown away by the support she received from her Ernest family in Las Vegas.

“I was especially touched by the support from my co-workers,” she says. “Throughout my treatment and recovery, they treated me normally, even when I lost my hair and felt like I looked like a science experiment gone wrong. And on Pink Day when Ernest wears pink, seeing everyone, even the warehouse, wearing pink, that meant so much to me.”

We want to say a huge thank you to Becky for sharing her story, and to everyone in the Las Vegas division for showing up when she needed you. That’s the Ernest Way.