Judy Jewell

Cancer is scary, but people like Judy Jewell can give others a sense of control with as little as a simple conversation through an American Cancer Society program called Reach to Recovery.

Twenty-four years ago, Jewell survived her own brush with breast cancer. She remembers dates like a history book.

“I was diagnosed on Dec. 9, 1994,” she said. “I had a biopsy done, and they told me it was cancer. I said OK, I didn't even let them give me my choices.”

Jewell had the cancer removed through a mastectomy, which removes the whole breast. She said she received chemotherapy afterward.

“Starting January of 1995, I had my chemo treatments. Four treatments three weeks apart,” she said. “After that my hair started growing back and I've been healthy ever since.”

Jewell said that version of the story that makes it sound simple and easy, but it wasn't. She said she was terrified of the future, until a friend talked to her about cancer.

“It was the best call I ever had. She said 'I made it and you can too,'” Jewell said. “That's what I needed to hear from somebody who has been through all these tests and things that you have to go through.”

During her treatment Jewell started visiting a support group, which she has continued to attend even after beating the disease.

“I started going basically when I had questions, and we would all discuss what was going on in your life,” Jewell said. “I just kept on going because as a survivor of now going on 24 years, it was good for some of the newbies to see someone that has survived.”

A few years after becoming cancer-free, a friend told Jewell she would be perfect for Reach to Recovery, an American Cancer Society program that matches breast cancer survivors with recently diagnosed patients.

Jewell said she has talked with many diagnosed with breast cancer. She said many of the women just wanted someone that wasn't a doctor to talk to them about what to expect and feel throughout their treatment. She said it's a balancing act between realism and optimism.

“Probably a little of both. You have to be upbeat about it,” Jewell said. “I think mostly they just want information.”

Jewell is now the program coordinator for Butler and Beaver counties. She has a team of six survivors that she manages and connects with new patients.

“Basically it's who is available. It's hard to match everybody up all the time,” she said. “Basically, I sort of rotate my girls.”

Jewell said a lot of advances have been made in the treatment of breast cancer, but the biggest change has been to the perception of those who have the disease and the willingness for patients and survivors to talk about their experiences.

“Twenty-four years ago, nobody talked about what you went through with chemo or breast cancer,” she said. “Things are so much more open that (patients) aren't so flustered.”

Jewell said with the right information, breast cancer isn't any less scary — its powers are still mysterious.

But she said the information gives patients powers too — It gives them control, which when dealing with a nightmare can save you from the villain.

“Make it positive that they can go through this,” Jewell said. “It can be done.”