Woman Who Worked Out 5 Times A Week Shocked After Finding Lump

“I knew that I had a stressful life, and drank more wine than was recommended, but I think I had convinced myself that balancing these other things with exercise or diet would mean it wouldn’t impact me negatively.”

As CEO of her own company, Janessa White’s life used to be fueled by stress, but she hoped to outweigh any negative impact by embracing healthy habits: “I frequented hot yoga five days a week, went on regular hikes, ate organic foods, and took an hour or so a day for a mental health break,” the 38-year-old told Newsweek.

However, that all changed after she discovered a small lump in her breast in November 2022. In April 2023, doctors confirmed that the lump in her breast was stage 1B invasive ductal carcinoma. The American Cancer Society estimates that this accounts for around eight in 10 breast cancer diagnoses.

“When I was diagnosed, I was in shock,” White said. “It felt like a parallel universe had just eclipsed and it didn’t seem to make sense. You never think you’ll be the one with cancer, until that sad diagnosis comes.”

White, from Boise, Idaho, now sees that her fast-paced life was punishing her body rather than nourishing it: “Prior to my diagnosis, I was grinding hard on my business for seven full years, and that was my sunrise to sunset, so I missed most of what was happening around me,” she continued.

“I wasn’t given the easy answer as to why I got cancer, but I can say that the regular consumption of alcohol and the persistent level of high cortisol in my life were contributing factors to my body not being able to kick the cancer cells to the curb,” she said.

With more than 240,000 new breast cancer cases in the U.S. every year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that it’s one of the most common types of the disease, behind only skin cancer.

Breast cancer screening is widely encouraged, and though it can’t lower a person’s risk, it can increase the chance of finding it early. Women between the age of 50 and 74 years old should get a mammogram every two years, while the CDC says that women of all ages should do regular breast self-examinations.

Life After the Diagnosis

Following the diagnosis, White had a lumpectomy in May before enduring six rounds of chemotherapy, which she feels taught her a lot about herself. She has since been documenting her cancer battle on social media, and last year she posted a clip on TikTok (@ceojanessa) explaining the things she will do differently after finding out she has cancer.

Factors she is going to tackle include stress, alcohol, diet, work-life balance and her activity levels—and she is going to stop caring about other people’s opinions. Many social media users were fascinated by White’s perspective, and the TikTok post has been viewed more than 773,000 times and received over 58,600 likes.

“I’ve come to realize that you have nothing in life if you don’t have your health. The chemo has been so rough on my body. Never in my life did I think I would fantasize about being able to go on a simple walk outside at the age of 38. I’ve seen such dramatic atrophy in my life over these past seasons, so I’m grateful for every tiny piece of life.

“My focus is no longer on what others think of me, but an appreciation for the energy and effort they’re giving, because I now realize what a precious resource energy truly is. It’s taken the whole summer to change my rhythm and get used to a slower pace of life. Curbing drinking and stress came easier because all I could focus on was my healing.”

White admits that making these changes before her diagnosis may not have saved her from cancer, but she thinks her body would be in a much better position to fight it off and get through the grueling treatment.

She said: “Most days during my treatment I’m too weak to walk up and down the stairs. I marvel at the amount I used to be able to accomplish in one day. I think my whole life, I put a lot of emphasis on being a creator and I loved being busy. But I’m now entering a phase of life where I’m just being a witness.”

Can Alcohol Really Lead to Cancer?

Research has shown that increased alcohol consumption can lead to a higher risk of developing cancer, as explained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s claimed that wine, beer and liquor raise the risk of getting cancer in the mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, colon, liver and breast.

The CDC explains that the reason behind this is because alcohol is broken down into a chemical called acetaldehyde, which damages DNA and allows cells to grow, potentially forming a cancerous tumor.

Other risk factors for developing cancer, according to the CDC, include family history, tobacco and obesity. The latter two are highly preventable causes, which is why it’s so important to monitor lifestyle habits.

Dr. Daniel Spratt, a professor at the Department of Radiation Oncology at the School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, has explained why gaining weight can have such a detrimental effect on a person’s health.

He told Newsweek: “In general for most cancers, especially hormone-related cancers like prostate and breast cancer, obesity is now one of the greatest preventable risk factors. Adipose tissue, which is what we call fat in lay terms, is not just simply extra weight. It creates hormones, some of which are the very hormones doctors try to block when women get certain types of breast cancer.”

Although a healthy lifestyle can’t cure cancer or prevent it completely, Dr. Spratt explained that taking good care of oneself will lower the potential risk that cancer poses. “It is important to note that while diet and exercise clearly have benefits to one’s overall health, they alone will not cure cancer once it is developed,” he continued.

Although White felt she was in great shape and was sure to work out regularly, one of the factors she now looks back on with regret is her constant stress. Much of the research looking into the possible link between cancer and stress hasn’t drawn a direct conclusion, as the National Cancer Institute explains that chronic stress may have an indirect link to cancer due to the negative behaviors people adopt.

Dr. Melinda Irwin, the Deputy Director at the Yale Cancer Center, has explained that, while the stress itself may not cause the cancer, people may take up smoking, become less active, and drink more alcohol to try and cope with it, all of which may have disastrous consequences.

“Stress isn’t directly linked to cancer, but it depends on how a person handles it,” Dr. Irwin told Newsweek. “For example, people may cope with unhealthy behaviors, such as stress eating, drinking alcohol or becoming less active, that are themselves associated with increased risks of some cancers.”

Sharing Her Experience on Social Media

It’s still relatively early in White’s cancer journey, but she has vowed to never return to the same level of stress and chaos that she once lived by. Her health will always be a priority from now on, which has been a silver lining from this.

After completing her chemotherapy in December, White has tried to regain a level of normality in her life again, even managing to return to work this year. She tells Newsweek that her strength isn’t quite back to normal yet, but she’s “improving day by day.”

She said: “Since finishing treatment last year, I visited Costa Rica and went surfing, I’ve gone back to work, and I’ve been working on my garden again. “

White felt incredibly lonely when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but since sharing her experience on TikTok, she has connected with a whole community. She is still undergoing treatment and dealing with the physical toll of chemotherapy, but sharing her thoughts has offered some solace during such a dark time.

She told Newsweek: “This journey has really made me realize that it doesn’t matter if you do healthy things in your life and adopt the latest wellness trends. Eating organic food isn’t everything, and yoga may help your health, but it won’t save it. As I started sharing on social media, I began to realize just how many young women have gone through the exact same experience.

“I felt empowered to answer questions, offer advice and, mostly, to offer comfort. It’s a powerful experience to help someone feel less alone. If I can offer any advice, it’s to prioritize your health. Don’t hesitate to get something checked out or to advocate for yourself. Take care of yourself because, like I said, you have nothing without your health.”

Is there a health issue that’s worrying you? Let us know via [email protected]. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.