Julissa Brenes beat breast cancer by going with her gut

Julissa Brenes gets emotional talking about her mom.

Brenes, a Westchester resident who was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer at age 37, is matter-of-fact discussing her own battle to survive, but mention her mother, her biggest supporter who died in August, and she gets teary.

"I took my mom to one of the first speeches I gave as a breast cancer survivor and she was so proud to see me on the screen," says Brenes, tearing up over the memory. "She passed away four days later."

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Brenes' mother had many reasons to be proud of her daughter, none more so than the work that Brenes has been doing since her diagnosis in 2011 to spread awareness of the importance of early detection, especially among women of color.

Her personal cancer story began when she felt a lump on her right breast.

"I have very dense breasts and had a history of cystic breasts, as did my mother," she says. Still, this particular lump was hard, "hard as a rock," she says.

She was 37-years-old, with no family history of breast cancer and younger than American Cancer Society's recommended age of 45 for a first mammogram. After meeting with her gynecologist, who had concerns, Brenes scheduled an appointment with a breast doctor, who told her not to worry; that the lump, was indeed mostly likely a cyst.

Brenes wasn't convinced. "I know what a cyst feels like and this didn't feel like a cyst; I went with my gut and met with another doctor."

That doctor found the cancer, a type uncommon for a pre-menopausal woman with no family history. However, the fact that it was discovered early, due to Brenes' gut and persistence, was a positive.

She says that early detection is the key to survival.

"I am Afro-Latin, I am a woman of color, and where I grew up, many do not get mammograms," she says, citing cost, lack of insurance, as well as the fear of a positive diagnosis.

"There is definitely a fear of knowing that you might have cancer; that is true for everyone," she says. "But what I want people to know if that if you find out early enough, you can fight this. Part of my mission now is strongly advocating for preventative care," she says. "There are free mammograms, in October you can find them; you just have to make a phone call to a nurse or a medical provider can help you to get a free mamo."

When she received her diagnosis, Brenes took a leave from her job at a financial services company. "It was a very early stage cancer. I had a lumpectomy in November 2011, then went to chemo in January. Right before that, my husband had shaved off my hair," she says. Her debut as a wig-wearing breast cancer warrior was at an 80’s rolling skate party.

At that skating party, the conversation led to cancer and Brenes insisted her friends check themselves.  Within three weeks, one friend, following her advice, discovered she, too, had breast cancer.

“We both went through 4 months of intense chemotherapy, 8 weeks of radiation and a year of Herceptin, followed by a total hysterectomy for me and reconstructive breast surgery from her lumpectomy,” Brenes says. “What I didn’t know was that God knew he was going to allow us to have something in common that turned out to be our testimonies.”

And while her prognosis is positive, "I am in remission," she says. "I haven’t hit the 5 year mark yet, but after I hit that, I will probably say I am cancer-free," Brenes knows her work isn't finished.

Along with her advocacy of early detection and the importance of getting regular screenings and mammograms, Brenes also counsels women on the importance of being their own health advocates.

"I respect the medical field, but there are options and you have to go with your feelings," she says. "That's why I'm out there. I couldn't sleep knowing that someone could be out there, like me, with no family history, and had breast cancer and didn't get it early."

She is a tireless advocate and volunteer, participating in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, which takes place Oct. 16 at Manhattantville College. "I am a fiery fundraiser," she says. "My goal is always $2,500 and I always double that."

She also volunteers for the American Cancer Society’s Look Good Feel Better program and was recognized with the Society’s State Sunrise Award in 2015.

"I remember going to  a Look Good, Feel Better class at Memorial Sloane Kettering and thinking, when I feel 100 percent better and if my job allows me, too, I am going to volunteer to do this class." Brenes, a professional makeup artist in her spare time, works with breast cancer patients to make them feel better about how they look.

"I knew I could do more and I felt this is where my two lives intersect. They (cancer patients)  look at me with this hair and with full makeup on, and I want them to feel comfortable. So I say, 'I am you,' and I show them the pictures of me with no hair, no makeup, and slowly they take off their hats, their wigs and scarves and we forget cancer for a few hours."

Her mother would be proud.

Where to get a free mammogram

For free or low-cost cancer screening, call the New York State Cancer Services Program at 1-866-442-2262, which can connect you to a provider near you.

• Nyack Hospital will offer free screenings 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 14,  for uninsured or underinsured women, age 40 and over. The screenings include a clinical breast exam, mammography and, if needed, pelvic exams with PAP tests. Make an appointment at 845-348-3551; en Español 845-348-8528
• Open Door Medical Centers offer free and low-cost mammograms, Opendoormedical.org, 914-632-2737
• Susan G. Komen Foundation affiliates sponsor programs or events to provide free or low-cost mammograms. You can call the breast care helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET and from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. PT to help find low-cost options in your area.
•  The American Cancer Society, 800-227-2345

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