Positively Pink highlights Tara Wharton as she shares her journey to healing.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A mother of two, Tara Wharton, shares her story and journey to defeat breast cancer.
Wharton’s life changed two years ago, a life-altering experience she shares with her sister, Tracy. Wharton and Tracy were diagnosed with stage one invasive ductal carcinoma—the most common type of breast cancer.
Invasive ductal carcinoma occurs when cancer cells start in the milk ducts of the breast and spread to nearby tissue. Although both sisters shared the same type of cancer, Wharton was diagnosed with Estrogen-driven breast cancer, a kind of breast cancer that is fueled by the hormone estrogen. In contrast, her sister was found with HER2-positive breast cancer, a subtype that grows with the help of both estrogen and the HER2 protein.
Wharton said she traveled to MD Anderson Cancer Center to have a lumpectomy and bilateral reduction. Her radiation treatment, here in Corpus Christi, “I decided to take my ovaries and my tubes, to reduce the cancer from coming back.”
Wharton found Pink Divas, a support group where women share a similar journey. “You’re grateful to be a part of this group of women. A group of women who understand what you’ve been through, that you could cry on, lean on, no judgment,” said Wharton.
She said her journey would not have been possible without the support of her family, friends, and coworkers. However, her faith has also increased during those difficult times.
She adds, “My faith has increased, and it was tough times like he was the only one that I could lean on.”
Wharton’s message to the community is that early detection can make a difference in saving lives.