A Powerful Presentation

Young breast cancer survivor delivers message of hope

Each year, in observance of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in preparation for the Cherry Blossom Walk, Foxcroft invites a breast cancer survivor to talk to the community. Each story is powerful, but few connect with and affect our students as much as this year’s speaker.

Caitlin Miles, a graduate student at Pacific University in Oregon, discovered a lump in her breast at age 23 and was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer at 24. She underwent a series of tests and treatments to rid her body of the disease. Her story, made even more powerful by the fact that she is the sister of Science teacher Meghen Tuttle and sounded very much like her, reminded one and all that this scourge can affect anyone at the same time that it offered hope.
Caitlin opened by sharing some startling statistics about breast cancer, which affects 1 in 8 women in their lifetime. “Take a minute to let that sink in,” she told the group, as many looked around the Library wondering if that one would be a friend, a teacher or oneself.

During her talk, Caitlin encouraged students to educate themselves about breast cancer and to listen carefully to their bodies when something just doesn’t feel right. The lump she discovered was initially ¼-inch in size and deemed non-cancerous but, within six months, it grew to be 2 inches long and began to protrude from her chest. Further testing was done, and it yielded bad news.

“They had been wrong. It was cancer,” she said. “The good news, though, was that we had caught it early, because I had been proactive and had been doing regular breast self-exams.”

Caitlin faced her challenge head on. A few weeks after the devastating news, she started the first of 35 radiation treatment sessions, accompanied by her mother and dog Beauregard. “I knew that the best way for me to beat this was to be positive, and not look back,” she said.

When Caitlin received her last treatment on March 31, 2012, she rang a bell to mark the occasion and, over time, returned to her active lifestyle. She is working on her doctorate of occupational therapy with a purpose that came out of her experience.

“I realized how much this profession would allow me the opportunity to work toward improving the quality of cancer care for patients and survivors,” Caitlin says. “In my doctoral program capstone project, I am planning to work with women with breast cancer to help give them the tools to make a better, healthier transition from patient to survivor.”

In closing, Caitlin reiterated three valuable lessons that she learned while fighting breast cancer: (1) Allow your support network to help; (2) Listen to your body’s needs; and (3) Be proactive about your health.

“You are the best advocate for yourself: take charge of your health,” she said. “I did, and I caught my cancer early. I did, and I tackled it head-on. I did, and an entire career path opened up in front of me. Ask questions—it may save your life someday.”

After her talk, Caitlin spent the day with students in Katie Ryan Kantz’s Wellness program and Dr. Tuttle’s bio lab. Many thanks to Dr. Tuttle and Ms. Kantz for arranging Caitlin’s visit and to the Cherry Blossom Breast Cancer Foundation for its grant towards bringing her to Middleburg.
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An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.