Niko Harriton

Hello Joan,

I am 39 years old and was diagnosed with her 2 neu positive breast cancer in April after being told by my gyno and internist in December that the lump I was feeling was nothing. I became my own advocate and made an appointment in April for a mammogram and bilateral sonogram. On May 7th I had a lumpectomy and on June 4th I began a chemo combination of taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin, and perjetta. I just finished my last chemo last Monday. I now have a year of herceptin every three weeks and radiation for four and a half weeks. Through this process, I have become very outspoken about the need for women under 40 to get sonograms as my mammogram was clear due to dense breasts. I am a former producer at Fox News channel and a great admirer of you since your days on GMA and having met you a couple of times in the past and having seen you at bitz and pieces where you were getting your wig a week before your announcement. You are a very strong woman and I am so happy you are an advocate for us. It is through situations like this that people's true characters are tested. I found myself to be a lot stronger than I would have thought maybe because I went into survival mode the minute I got my diagnosis and never really have had the moment to think about the reality of my situation. I hope on your show on October 1st that you mention how important it is for women under 40 to get mammograms and sonograms as well as be their own advocates. I have personally helped my friends by telling my story. I first cut my hair (Amy Robach had been a huge help to me with this process) in anticipation of losing it and donated it to children with hair loss. This happened a week after my first chemo and then had it shaved a week later in order to take some control back as it began to fall out. I have defeated chemo. My score 6, chemo 0. I hope my story and others help to raise awareness for young women (the forgotten under 40) as well and the need for early detection.

Best,

Niko Harriton

Sent from my iPad