LEXINGTON, Ky. — The American Cancer Society predicts nearly 282,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, more than 3,800 living right here in the Commonwealth.

Stephanie Lester is a breast cancer survivor who is thankful for her journey, not only during October for breast cancer awareness month, but 365 days a year. 

Lester is a Spanish teacher at Lafayette High School in Lexington. During her free time, she's a group fitness instructor, both of which she has numerous gratitude for after finding her breast cancer lump during self examination. 

“Just joy and gratefulness,” Lester said.

Those are the words that come to mind for Stephanie Lester after surviving breast cancer. It's disease that kills 1 in 39 women each year in the United States according to the American Cancer Society.

She found joy in her journey because that's something she knew she had to do in order to help women going through the same experience. She can now offer that much-needed reassurance or a shoulder to lean on to women diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I found the lump myself in January 2018, it was a Saturday. My husband checked it out, one of my best friends checked it out. I made everybody feel it for me to see does this feel weird to you too?,” said Lester.

She was just 39 years old when she found her lump in her right breast, one year shy of when physicians recommend women start coming in for their annual mammograms. Expert Kelly Toponak of CHI Saint Joseph said that early detection saved Lester’s life.

“Early detection is probably what matters the most. I am sure you have heard it said before that early detection saves lives, that is so true. That is such a simple statement but it is so true," Toponoak said. "The American Cancer Society recommends you start doing self breast exams starting in your 20s, 30s, these should be done every month, typically 7-10 after the start of your menstrual cycle. That is when your breasts are less swollen and you do not have the pain you have with your menstrual cycle."

Lester immediately went to her family doctor and was referred to CHI Saint Joseph's Breast Cancer Center. She credits her surgeon and the entire team for their care and compassion throughout her treatment plan.

“He could not take it out right then because that's not what we had planned for, but he explained to my husband while I was out of it and then afterwards we talked. He said there was so much he could not see the end of the cancer,” said Lester.

Lester’s cancer had wrapped around her breast tissue, in places hard to reach for surgeons. She even had pre-cancer lumps in her left breast, leading her to have one option – a double mastectomy.

That didn't keep Lester from getting right back in the classroom which has been her passion for the last 20 years.  

“My principal would walk into my classroom and say, 'Why are you still here? Go home, go rest!' I did not have enough sick days to get through all of my surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation and all of that,” said Lester.

Not having enough sick days turned into a blessing because her fellow colleagues offered her theirs, came with the support of many students and staff. Lester knew she had to make the decision to fight the cancer.

“That's pretty much what I did so it was almost blinders for that year. Get through it, get it done, do everything to make myself as healthy as possible and just get through this year. Do you breast self-exams it does not matter how young you or how old you are, it literally can save your life just like it did mine,” said Lester.

Lester has been able to live a cancer-free life since January 2019.

Experts at CHI Saint Joseph recommend that if you have a strong family history of breast cancer or if you find a lump on a self breast exam before the age of 40, seek medical care immediately.

Information for breast care and self exams can be found here. Women who are uninsured or underinsured needing mammogramms can be found here. CHI Saint Joseph additionally offers a HOPE line for cancer screenings by calling 844-940-HOPE or visiting here.