In this episode, I sit down with Carmela Fuca, a young woman who was just a few days away from her preventative mastectomy as a BRCA gene carrier when she found out that she was too late, and already had cancer. Carmela knows that people are already aware of breast cancer, but they’re not aware of the many preventative actions we should be taking, the added risks to some decisions within a journey with this disease, the many unexplained side effects that can occur, and so much more. We discuss the importance of being your own advocate and doing your own research, going at your own pace, and never being naive enough to think it couldn’t happen to you. Carmela’s story reminds us that doctors don’t always know what’s best for you and sometimes, they don't know everything that you might experience in their suggested treatments. Carmela shares the many surprises she experienced during her fight that left her scared and confused and reminds us that we are the only ones who can fight for ourselves.