‘Don’t become your diagnosis:’ C.O. breast cancer patient offers advice to others grappling with newly found cases

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, NewsChannel 21 is sharing the stories of survivors and those still on their journey.

"In July 2023, I had a clear mammogram, and I get mammograms every year since I was 40. And then I felt a lump in one of my breasts," breast cancer patient Karen Watt said.

After extensive tests, Watt was diagnosed with bilateral high grade breast cancer in March of this year.

"It's something I'm going to face for the rest of my life, which is certainly hard to get your head around, that your life has changed completely," Watt said.

Watt, a resident of the Three Rivers area south of Bend, underwent surgery to remove the tumors in May and proceeded with radiation through the summer. Now, she is undergoing endocrine therapy treatment that will last at least 10 years.

"It's been tough, especially with, you know, the physical things that I've been feeling since starting my treatment," she said. "Because when you're not feeling well and you don't feel like yourself, it's easy to kind of start spiraling down. So I've been having to pull myself back up and say, your bodies recalibrate. We're getting used to this new reality."

Watt says it's important to lean on your doctors as much as possible during these trying times.

"I've always been such a joyous, happy person," she said. "And I remember telling them before we started treatment, my doctors, I said, 'Look, like I'm really happy. I love life so much! I have so many things that bring me joy. I'm fully engaged with the beauty and wonder of this world. This is devastating. I don't want to lose this.'"

Watt noted receiving well-intended, unsolicited advice from others after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

"It's an incredibly complicated disease," she said. "What your friend or mother or daughter went through is different than what I'm going through. So I think part of it is ... for women who are newly diagnosed, to kind of be prepared for that, because that was unexpected for me, and kind of traumatizing."

Watt also found that putting up barriers and prioritizing herself were key to maintaining her positive outlook.

"I recognize that they're just trying to be helpful," she said. "So part of it was just taking a big step back and saying, 'I don't want to talk right now,' and just kind of disappearing for a little bit and taking care of myself."

Despite still being in treatment, Watt refuses to let the diagnosis stop her from living her life. She has continued to participate in some of her favorite activities such as mountain biking.

"It's very easy to get consumed by it. So don't become your diagnosis," she said. "Keep doing the things you love. Keep your quality of life. Keep chasing the things that find you joy."

Day to day, Watt takes solace in time spent with her dogs, walking around her property and trying her best to take it all in.

"It's such a freaking beautiful world around us, and there's so much amazing opportunity and experience to have. So I'm just going to keep going. And live my best life," she said.

Watt also emphasizes the importance of self-checking and getting screened. She says the earlier you catch it, the better. Had she not self-checked and just waited for the next exam, her cancer likely would have spread, leading to a worse outcome.