My Cancer Counts: Teresa’s Journey: The Power of Cancer Surveillance

Teresa Foxworth’s journey with breast cancer is a powerful reminder of why cancer surveillance matters. Diagnosed at age 38, Teresa faced breast cancer three times. Each diagnosis came with its own storm — bleeding that continued without end, dense tissue that masked the truth, and surgeries that revealed more than scans could. “My cancer matters because every statistic is accompanied by a saga such as mine — one of faith, resilience, and a mighty fight to keep going. More funding means more early detection, more survivors, more access to care, and more people similar to me, who turn pain into passionate dreams,” says Teresa.

Cancer surveillance organizations play a vital role in ensuring that every case is counted. Teresa’s story shows that behind every statistic is a person—a daughter, a nurse, a mentor, and a survivor. Surveillance is not just about numbers; it’s about lives. By counting every case, we help researchers and clinicians understand patterns, improve early detection, and allocate resources where they are needed most. Teresa’s recurrences were caught early thanks to ongoing monitoring, dramatically improving her chances of survival.

Throughout her journey, Teresa continued to thrive. She excelled in her studies, mentored others, built a digital business, and cared for her father after his stroke—even pausing chemotherapy to do so. Cancer didn’t just touch her body; it touched every aspect of her life. Yet, she chose to turn pain into purpose, documenting her journey through visuals, tribute posts, and messages of resilience. She became a beacon of hope for others, showing that every cancer case counted is a step toward more survivors, more families supported, and more lives saved.

“There are more than 4 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States today. Still, 1 out of 8 women in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. But there is hope. When caught in its earliest stages, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. And it does occur in men, too,” Teresa shares.

Teresa’s story underscores the importance of continued federal funding and robust cancer surveillance. “My cancer matters because it reminds us that behind every statistic is a story. Continued federal funding means more lives saved, m

ore families supported, and more survivors who can turn their trials into triumphs. We are not just numbers—we are voices, visions, and victories in motion!”

Population-based cancer data, collected and curated by cancer registries, is the only source that counts every cancer in the US and Canada. That means everyone is represented, and every person affected by cancer makes a difference in the fight against cancer. MY CANCER COUNTS aims to raise public awareness of the value of population-based cancer data through the sharing of personal stories of the people behind the data. NAACCR is deeply grateful to the individuals who have shared their stories as part of MY CANCER COUNTS.