Janai Mitchell was 26 years old when she was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer.
The median age of those diagnosed with breast cancer is 62. Only 4% of breast cancer diagnoses in the United States are of women 40 or younger, according to the American Cancer Society.
Mitchell felt a lump around her breast during a self examination in March 2022. Her mind jumped to her mother and sister, who each previously dealt with benign fibroids, but Mitchell scheduled a doctor’s appointment just in case.
Days later, Mitchell was getting ready for work as a quality engineer in Indianapolis. She received her diagnosis via phone call a couple of hours before her shift.
Mitchell never made it to work that day.
After first calling her mom, who lived in Kansas, Mitchell called her aunt in Indianapolis. She urged Mitchell to come over so she wouldn’t spend the heaviest day of her life alone.
Mitchell’s world changed in less than two hours, but she was declared cancer-free less than a year later. Her final radiation appointment was Dec. 24, 2022, ending an eight-month process that included lumpectomy surgery less than six weeks after her diagnosis, then chemotherapy and radiation.
But the effects of breast cancer and the treatment to remove it can linger with the survivor despite being cancer-free. To deal with this new way of life, Mitchell began using Pink-4-Ever, a breast cancer awareness nonprofit, in September 2023. She enrolled in Pink-4-Ever’s Survivorship is a Lifestyle initiative to help deal with common effects such as daily fatigue, newfound depression or weakened bones.
Through Pink-4-Ever, Mitchell and hundreds of other women in Indianapolis also build community with people sharing the same struggles.
“I’m just ready to be active and see these women,” Mitchell said. “ … No matter what age you are, having a community that you can rely on and lean on is always good.”
The importance of advocacy
The Survivorship is a Lifestyle program includes weekly exercise classes such as kickboxing, zumba and line dancing, and periodic classes that focus on stress reduction such as cooking, journaling and art therapy.
When Lisa Hayes, the executive director of Pink-4-Ever, started the program in September 2023, she didn’t realize the collective benefits the 200-plus participants could find outside of just building healthier habits.
“I can’t say that going into launching the program that we really thought about building a community, but that’s what it’s turned out to be,” Hayes said.
Hayes is also a breast cancer survivor, and like Mitchell, she was diagnosed at Stage 2. Hayes had surgery to remove the tumor in May 2007, and she finished chemotherapy and radiation by January 2008.
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Liz Harden (left) and her classmates warm up during a Pink-4-Ever class at New Life Worship Center in Indianapolis. Credit: Nate Pappas for Mirror Indy -
Nikki Miller participates in a punching exercise during a Pink-4-Ever kickboxing and cardio class. Credit: Nate Pappas for Mirror Indy -
A participant wears a shirt for Pink-4-Ever during a kickboxing and cardio class. Credit: Nate Pappas for Mirror Indy -
Aysia McCrary spreads out her limbs while participating in a breathing exercise. Credit: Nate Pappas for Mirror Indy
It was clear once she was cancer-free that Hayes had a newfound passion for helping those in situations similar to hers. She has worked in the nonprofit field, mostly revolving around breast cancer advocacy, for almost two decades since.
“I don’t want anyone to have to go through that and not know there are resources right here,” Hayes said. “ … You don’t have to go through this experience alone, without help.”
Pink-4-Ever’s main focus is making progress in breast cancer risk and research disparities for Black and brown women. Hayes said Pink-4-Ever’s research found that the mortality rate of women in Indianapolis with breast cancer is 41% higher for Black women.
Hayes said the nonprofit offers its resources to anyone regardless of race or gender identity. However, Pink-4-Ever helped Liz Harden understand the added danger of her breast cancer diagnosis as a Black woman.
The 4 stages of cancer, explained
- Stage 0 cancer is diagnosed when a patient displays abnormal cells which have not yet spread to any areas other than its origin.
- Stage 1 cancer is diagnosed when the patient has a small tumor, in which the cancer cells have not spread to lymph nodes or any other area of the body.
- Stage 2 cancer is diagnosed when the patient has a medium-to-large tumor that could have already spread to lymph nodes.
- Stage 3 cancer is diagnosed when the patient’s medium-to-large tumor has not only potentially spread to lymph nodes but also surrounding tissue.
- Stage 4 cancer is diagnosed when the patient’s cancer is confirmed to have spread from the original area of the body to other organs.
Source: The Cleveland Clinic.
‘It’s what I’m supposed to be doing’
After years of advocacy and education about the increased risk for breast cancer in Black and brown women, Harden joined the group of approximately 310,000 Americans diagnosed in January 2024.
“I didn’t know, but I was being prepared for this,” Harden said. “If I had a question or if I had a concern, I could reach out to one of my sisters.”
It was Stage 1, and Harden knew her risk was high not just because of her race but also because of her family’s history with the disease. Since the tumor was spotted early in its development, Harden had a double mastectomy surgery within a month of her diagnosis and avoided any following treatment.
She has been cancer-free for more than a year, but Harden still has lasting effects of the disease. Her body doesn’t naturally produce estrogen anymore, so she takes a daily estrogen pill, which makes her lethargic. To combat the fatigue, Harden attends Pink-4-Ever’s weekly kickboxing, Zumba and line dancing classes.
Harden, who played collegiate basketball and volleyball at Marian University (then known as Marian College), said staying active is more important in her life now than ever.
“When I’m not active, I’m not quite right,” Harden said. “If your knee hurts, what are you supposed to do? You’re supposed to move it.”
Harden said she has benefitted from the Survivorship is a Lifestyle program mentally just as much as she has physically. That’s why her approach to everyday life has not changed.
“I’ve had my down days — quite a few – but I still have to be a mother,” Harden said. “I still have to be a wife and a grandmother.”
How to help
Harden, Mitchell and Hayes found a sisterhood through the Survivorship is a Lifestyle initiative.
Mitchell said she has given advice to breast cancer survivors of all demographics.
“Being a person of color and young, it’s good to know my body,” Mitchell said. “I’ve been speaking out to young women to tell them that knowing their body and listening to their body is important.”
Hayes encourages breast cancer survivors interested in learning more or joining the Survivorship is a Lifestyle initiative to visit the nonprofit’s website. The program is free. Those who are interested in donating or volunteering can visit the “How To Help” section.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Kyle Smedley is an Indianapolis Press Club Foundation fellow working this summer with Mirror Indy. You can reach him at kyle.smedley@mirrorindy.org or follow him on X @KyleSmedley03.
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