Heather Barto

In January 2020, I was diagnosed with cancer at age 26. Persistent coughing, night sweats, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss were symptoms I continued to ignore, until one day, an abrupt facial and neck edema prompted me to search and read about serious illnesses that could explain these symptoms. Cancer, of course, was my last consideration. The results of a series of lab tests and diagnostic procedures showed that I had superior vena cava syndrome, so I had to have a core-needle biopsy.

I wish to thank CONQUER magazine as well as the contributors of 2 articles that were published in the October 2022 issue. I refer to the article by Dawn Coyle, titled “Defined by Cancer, or I Defy My Cancer?” and the article by Heather Barto, titled “How Planning and Organization Helped in My Breast Cancer Journey.” These articles offer positive approaches that can assist patients (men and women) who are facing a breast cancer diagnosis (and probably other types of cancer).

Pagadian City, Philippines In January 2022, I was diagnosed with cancer at age 26. Persistent coughing, night sweats, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss were symptoms I continued to ignore, until one day, an abrupt facial and neck edema prompted me to search and read about serious illnesses that could explain these symptoms. Cancer, of course, was my last consideration.