Stories From the Heart - Marsha`s Story
from National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website
"Sixteen years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. At that time, people didn`t talk about it like they do now, and there was not much support for women dealing with teh disease. So I started a support group for women coping with breast cancer and more recently, I have spent several years working as an advocate for breast cancer issues. When I had cancer, my doctors and I were so focused on beating it that I didn`t even realize my risk for another condition: heart disease.
A few years ago I had an angina attack, which was a wake-up call for me. I talked with my doctors, and I now understand my risk for heart disease, which is something I don`t think may women do. Since then I have made major life changes and, as a result, I have lost more than 20 pounds. Women`s heart disease isn`t widely talked about, just as breast cancer wasn`t when I was diagnosed with it 16 years ago. As a nurse, I know that heart disease is the biggest health threat to women and I hope that more women will realize it too."
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