Freedom Fighter: Fannie Lou Hamer – by Wilhelmina Obatola GrantWilhelmina Obatola is a resident of Harlem, mixed-media assemblage artist, and breast cancer survivor. She uses objects she finds to create art and uses it to bring awareness to breast cancer and violence against women.

GHH talks to this talented artist about her second breast cancer diagnosis. Read on to find out how educating yourself can help you deal with, and even overcome, your illness.

Q: How did you find out you had breast cancer for a second time?

A: After my first diagnosis I went for mammograms every year. The mammograms were being watched by my doctor to see if there were any changes in my breasts. Nothing changed for the first four years. Then in 1999, my mammograms started showing what's called microcalcifications in the same breast that had the cancer before. The doctor said that this can be normal, but can also be a signal for cancer.

There were some changes in my breast after two years. In January 2024 I had a core biopsy. The report said that I had DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) or a very early stage of cancer. It wasn't a danger to me at that point because the cancer had not begun to spread.

I chose to have a mastectomy to remove the entire breast. I did not choose to have reconstructive surgery to rebuild my breast because I would have to get implants put in on both sides and didn't want that.

Q: Did your doctor talk with you the first time you had cancer about your risk of it returning?

A: The first time I was diagnosed I had chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The doctor said that that would only get rid of the cancer that was in my body at that time, but I could get it again. I also knew that if you have breast cancer in one breast you are at a higher risk for cancer in the other breast. I actually got cancer again in the same breast. It was a different kind of cancer that was not related to the first type.

Q: Did your risk of getting cancer have anything to do with your family history?

A: I am the only one in my direct family who had breast cancer. I had an aunt and a cousin on my father's side who had breast cancer. My mother and many of her sisters and brothers died from cancers like lymphoma, bone and lung cancer.

Q: Did your first diagnosis help you deal with your second battle this disease?

A: When I was diagnosed the second time I was working as a teaching associate in gynecology. I taught medical students, doctors and nurses how to do breast and pelvic exams in a more patient-friendly way. So the second time around I was a smarter patient. I was also working as the Director of Community Outreach for a non-profit called SHARE, Self-Help for Women With Breast or Ovarian Cancer. Because of that I knew exactly where to go and what to do to get treatment.

Q: How did your second diagnosis affect your family and friends?

A: After my second diagnosis my friends thought that I was a "goner" for sure. It was rough for them to see me go through it once, but a second time was unheard of. It took some time for everyone to get past the shock of the second diagnosis. By that time, we had lost many of my aunts and uncles to cancer. They were sure that I would be next. But I explained to them that the breasts are not a major organ like the liver or brain. People do not die from cancer that is only in the breast. They die when the cancer spreads to the major organs. The good thing is that my cancer was spotted early enough. It did not spread, and I did not need to do very strong treatments. It took about two years for people to start believing me when I said that I was alright.

Read more about Wilhelmina Obatola Grant by clicking the links below:

• Profiles of Hope: Wilhelmina Obatola Grant's journey with breast cancer 
• Profiles of Hope: How cancer survivor Wilhelmina Obatola Grant brings awareness to breast cancer through art 
• Profiles of Hope: How cancer survivor, Wilhelmina Obatola Grant brings awareness to breast cancer through art-Part 2 

Profiles of Hope is a series of testimonials with community leaders and members, written by HHPC and reviewed by our Health Advisory Board.