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Taketia Morris never expected to be dealing with breast cancer, much less under the age of 40. In March 2024, she discovered a knot in her right breast. She wasted no time in getting it checked out. She called her obstetrician and gynecologist's office the next day, and they hurriedly got her in for a mammogram and ultrasound.

The mammogram revealed three suspicious areas: the knot Taketia found on the top of her breast, a small spot underneath her right breast, and a lymph node under her right arm.

She was referred to Jared Sanders, MD, General Surgeon at SGMC Health to begin the next steps. The following week, she met with Dr. Sanders for an exam and scheduled a biopsy. The biopsy revealed that two of the areas were benign.

With no family history of breast cancer, Taketia had always assumed she was in the clear. Now, she was facing a battle she never expected. Dr. Sanders immediately referred her to Savita Bidyasar, MD, Hematologist and Medical Oncologist at SGMC Health's Pearlman Cancer Center for treatment. She began 16 rounds of chemotherapy—an experience she never thought she would have to endure.

She has experienced many of the common side effects of chemo, including nausea, neuropathy, and hair loss. While the rounds of chemo have by no means been easy, Taketia says they weren't as bad as she anticipated. Today, she’s on her 15th round, nearly finished with this portion of her treatment.

However, Taketia's battle with breast cancer continues in 2025. Next, she will undergo a double mastectomy followed by four rounds of radiation.

Through it all, Taketia has drawn her strength from the unwavering support of her loved ones.

Her experience at SGMC Health has been nothing short of incredible. Dr. Sanders and Dr. Bidyasar have shown her the kind of care that goes beyond medicine. Dr. Bidyasar, in particular, has been a source of comfort. She describes her as patient, compassionate, and always willing to answer her "countless" questions.

Taketia speaks with deep gratitude about the entire staff, not just her doctors. "It’s a bad time," she says, "but I’ve had the best care."

From the women in the cancer center and infusion center to the staff in the lab and check-in—everyone has treated her with warmth and kindness, turning a frightening time into one filled with hope and support.

To every woman out there, Taketia offers this heartfelt plea:

Lisa Morgan's world changed in an instant in April 2023. By accident during a shower, the 59-year-old from Homerville, discovered a lump in her right breast. That discovery marked the beginning of her breast cancer journey, a hard road that would test her strength, faith, and resilience.

Lisa tried to be diligent about her annual mammogram screenings, but she was a few months past due for her appointment. After finding the lump, she wasted no time. She called her obstetrician and gynecologist, Thomas Moseley, MD, the following morning, and his office got her set up for a mammogram and ultrasound the next day.

That same day Dr. Moseley called with difficult news—the spot in her breast appeared suspicious. He set her up for an appointment with Dallas Miller, MD, at SGMC Health's Breast Center.

Then came the diagnosis that no one wants: invasive, triple-negative breast cancer. The news was overwhelming, but she was determined to face the battle ahead with strength.

Lisa was referred to the SGMC Health Pearlman Cancer Center for treatment and began seeing her oncologist, Jack Wang, MD. In May, she began infusion chemotherapy under Dr. Wang's care. The treatment lasted six months, and it was not easy. The chemo was harsh and came with a host of side effects. She lost her hair, endured bone pain, and experienced constant fatigue that made each day a challenge. Despite the hardships, she kept fighting.

Around Thanksgiving, Lisa underwent a double mastectomy at SGMC Health. The surgery was a success, but when the pathology results came back, they unfortunately revealed residual cancer. Once again, she had to undergo treatment—this time, six more months of chemo in pill form, from January to July 2024.

Now, with no evidence of disease, Lisa reflects on her journey with gratitude. Though she didn’t carry the BRCA gene, breast cancer had affected her family. Her father’s two sisters had faced the disease in their later years with a third sister losing a short battle with leukemia. Even with a family history, the diagnosis still came as a shock.

The road through treatment was long and painful, but Lisa credits her strong faith in God for keeping her grounded. She believes in the power of prayer, and she was surrounded by family and friends who made sure she was never alone. They prayed for her, attended appointments, brought her food, and offered endless support. But what truly kept her going were her grandchildren. Five grandchildren, ranging from 2 to 21, gave her a strong determination to push through and be there for them—to watch them grow, go to school, play sports, and thrive in their later years. Her husband, Greg, was her rock, offering unwavering support and helping her stay positive through even the hardest days.

Throughout her battle, Lisa received incredible support at work. Employed at Farmers and Merchants Bank in Lakeland, she was overwhelmed by how accommodating her team was during her treatments. They allowed her to work from home when needed, giving her flexibility while fighting cancer. It was a true blessing, and today, she’s back at work full-time, grateful for their thoughtfulness and understanding.

Now, with no evidence of disease, Lisa reflects on her journey with gratitude. Though she didn’t carry the BRCA gene, breast cancer had affected her family. Her father’s two sisters had faced the disease in their later years with a third sister losing a short battle with leukemia. Even with a family history, the diagnosis still came as a shock.

The road through treatment was long and painful, but Lisa credits her strong faith in God for keeping her grounded. She believes in the power of prayer, and she was surrounded by family and friends who made sure she was never alone. They prayed for her, attended appointments, brought her food, and offered endless support. But what truly kept her going were her grandchildren. Five grandchildren, ranging from 2 to 21, gave her a strong determination to push through and be there for them—to watch them grow, go to school, play sports, and thrive in their later years. Her husband, Greg, was her rock, offering unwavering support and helping her stay positive through even the hardest days.

Throughout her battle, Lisa received incredible support at work. Employed at Farmers and Merchants Bank in Lakeland, she was overwhelmed by how accommodating her team was during her treatments. They allowed her to work from home when needed, giving her flexibility while fighting cancer. It was a true blessing, and today, she’s back at work full-time, grateful for their thoughtfulness and understanding.

This November, Lisa will take another important step in her journey with breast reconstruction surgery. She’s hopeful that this next phase will bring a sense of closure and allow her to move forward with peace.

Lisa also can’t say enough positive things about the care she received at SGMC Health and the Pearlman Cancer Center.

"They took the time to talk, check in, and offer care and support when I needed it most. From the lab staff to the front desk and valet workers, everyone made the experience more bearable with their warmth and compassion."

Now nearing the one-year mark since her diagnosis, Lisa has a message for other women: prioritize your health.

"Get your annual mammograms, and do your monthly self-exams," she advises. "If I had been more diligent with my self-exams, I might have found my cancer sooner."

For Lisa, early detection made all the difference, and she hopes her story will inspire other women to take their health seriously.

At age 30, and pregnant with her fourth child, the last thing Raven Merine was thinking when she felt a lump in her breast was that it could be breast cancer. She thought maybe it was a clogged milk duct since she was already in her second trimester, so she put off getting it checked.

As a teacher, wife, and mother of three, she had so many things on her plate to worry about, and with no family history of breast cancer, she wasn’t immediately concerned. Due to issues with health insurance it wasn’t until her 25-week visit with her midwife, Marie Dazey, that she got her breast examined, and by then, the lump had tripled in size and was painful.

Within the next couple of weeks, she was seen by Harvey Miller, MD, Chief Clinical Quality Director at SGMC Health's Breast Center, who performed a biopsy. Her diagnosis: Stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer.

Her diagnosis meant she had to start chemotherapy immediately, while still pregnant. This was a scary thought to her, but her doctors assured her that since she was well into her second trimester, there was very little chance chemo would negatively affect her baby.

With incredible courage, she underwent four chemo sessions before being induced at 34 weeks. "I just want to acknowledge and thank the Labor and Delivery staff at SGMC Health as well as Kimberly Cross, MD, and my midwife, who provided me with outstanding care throughout my pregnancy and delivery," she said.

After giving birth, Raven wasted no time starting her second round of chemotherapy and immunotherapy just two weeks later.

Her journey has been anything but easy, but her faith in God, the support of her family, and her role as a mother of four have given her strength. "I'm looking at it as this is not happening to me, but for me—for other people. No matter how uncomfortable this season of life is, it is bigger than me." She finds hope in sharing her story and connecting with other women who have been through similar battles.

Raven also shared how her students and her community in Jasper, Florida, have been a source of comfort and strength. With encouragement from her sister and best friend, she started sharing her cancer journey on social media, hoping to help her students adjust to her changing appearance as she returned to the classroom.

She had a difficult time coming to terms with her diagnosis because she didn’t feel or look sick. One of her most emotional moments was during her first chemotherapy session when she broke down, afraid to sit in the chair and begin treatment.

Her nurse comforted her, offering her the space and support she needed to take that difficult first step. “I also received great care from Dr. Narayana, my oncologist. She was very thorough and forthcoming when discussing my treatment, which I appreciated,” stated Raven.

As Raven continues her treatment, her message to other women is clear:

“Don’t think it can’t happen to you. Be aware of your body. If something feels different, make yourself a priority and get checked out. As women and mothers, we often put ourselves last. But we have to take care of ourselves to be there for the ones who depend on us.”

Raven’s story is a powerful reminder that early detection is crucial. If you are over the age of 40, schedule your annual mammogram, and if something doesn’t feel right when doing your regular breast self-exam, don’t hesitate—reach out to your doctor. It could save your life.

Brittney Nolan, a 36-year-old from Valdosta, Georgia, never imagined that breast cancer would become part of her story. It all began one ordinary day when she felt something unusual during a shower. Concerned, Brittney trusted her instincts and scheduled an appointment with her OB for a breast exam. After an ultrasound and biopsy, she received the life-altering news that she had breast cancer.

The road ahead was daunting, and Brittney began treatment with eight rounds of chemotherapy. It was a grueling process, but throughout those difficult months, Brittney was surrounded by the compassionate care team at the Pearlman Cancer Center. Their kindness and support made a tremendous difference in her experience, giving her the strength to push forward.

After completing chemotherapy, she underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction at SGMC. Brittney was incredibly pleased with the outcome and the exceptional care she received.

Now, Brittney is passionate about encouraging other women to prioritize their health. She firmly believes in the importance of preventative care. Had she not acted quickly and gotten seen by her care team, her situation could have been much worse.

By the time she started treatment, Brittney was already at stage two, battling the most aggressive form of breast cancer. Early detection saved her life, and she wants other women to know that it could save theirs too.

Brittney’s journey is one of courage, faith, and the unwavering support of those around her. Today, she hopes her story can inspire others to take charge of their health and seek the care they need when something feels wrong.

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Important Things to Know About Mammograms

They can save your life.
Finding breast cancer early reduces your risk of dying from the disease by 25-30% or more. Women should begin having mammograms yearly at age 40, or earlier if they're at high risk.
Don't be afraid.
Mammography is a fast procedure (about 20 minutes), and discomfort is minimal for most women. The procedure is safe: there's only a very tiny amount of radiation exposure from a mammogram.
Get the best quality you can.
Our state-of-the art 3D mammography system provides peace of mind and reduces callbacks by up to 40% compared to 2D mammography alone. It also detects 20-65% more invasive breast cancer compared to 2D mammography, which for some women, this could mean an earlier diagnosis and a greater variety of treatment options.
American Cancer Society Resources
Mammograms are low-dose x-rays that can help find breast cancer. The American Cancer Society provides topics that can help you know what to expect.
Resources from the CDC
Learn more about mammograms, symptoms, and how to lower your risk of breast cancer.