Faces of Hope Breast Cancer Survivor Diagnosed While Pregnant

Taylor Niemetz was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer six days after her 28th birthday while she was 24 weeks pregnant with her first child. Taylor noticed what appeared to be a clogged milk duct and called her OB/GYN who then ordered a chest ultrasound. Within weeks of diagnosis, she started chemotherapy. Taylor says, “I went through four rounds of chemotherapy with my daughter in utero!”

“My entire village has helped me along this journey – my family, my best friends, and my incredible medical team. I have been so blessed,” says Taylor. “I actively share my story to help others going through this in silence. I want to inspire everyone to advocate for themselves and see that cancer is not always a death sentence. Trust your gut. If something feels different or weird, get it checked. Advocate for yourself at your appointments. Encourage your doctors to order testing. Cancer has no timeline and no preference for who it affects. If you can, know your family history. Knowledge is power.”

Eventually, Taylor would like to research equitable genetic counseling for youth in the foster care system. “Children in the system so often do not have clear medical history from their biological families, but that should not be a barrier to quality care,” she explains.

To join Making Strides of Baltimore, go to: www.makingstrideswalk.org/baltimoremd.

For more information about breast cancer, see www.cancer.org/breastcancer.