Just a few months after she underwent her first mammogram, Sharon Alexander, 41, found a lump in her breast that was deemed cancerous.
"I was in shock, but I'm the kind of person to take the news and run with it. So my first thing was getting connected to the doctors I needed," said Alexander.
Her first connection was with Memorial Healthcare oncologist Dr. Mindy Williams who told her that breast reconstruction at the same time as her double mastectomy was a good option.
Williams removed the cancer and a plastic surgeon immediately started the reconstruction process.
"It's very important for a woman who is diagnosed with breast cancer to not only receive wonderful treatment, but to feel like a woman and look like a woman after she is treated for breast cancer," said Williams.
Unfortunately, Williams said, seven out of ten women are not told about their reconstruction options.
"The far majority are still not being offered reconstruction immediately with surgery or even after treatment and that has to change," said Williams.
After three surgical procedures, Alexander is feeling healthy, and pretty, again.
"I can't complain, life is good," she said.
This Thursday, TV personality and breast cancer survivor Giuliana Rancic will be taking part in a special fundraising raffle involving the Memorial Healthcare's Cancer Institute and Physician's Institute Of Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery.
For more information call: 954-964-4113.