Tale of a Two-Time Cancer Survivor

When Monica Knoll packed her bags for the Big Apple in early 1999, little did she know how much her life would soon change beyond just her Chicago address. The 36-year-old fitness club marketer was only on the island of Manhattan 1½ years when she got the news of her stage IIB cancer in her left breast shortly before Columbus Day in October 2000.

“I was just overwhelmed by the words ‘you’ve got cancer,’ ” Monica recalls.

So single and without family living close by, she set out to take on her nemesis. She immediately turned to friends to network with anyone who had dealt with breast cancer, determined to find the best oncologist.

“I wanted to find a great doctor who took my insurance,” she relates.

Monica ended up taking the recommendation of her gynecologist, choosing a cancer specialist she was familiar with through the New York media. Monica said her doctor went out of her way to help her from the start.

Like many patients, Monica found herself with many options to consider. Almost too many, she says.

“I think everyone assumes the doctor will tell you what to do,” she says. “But they don’t.”

Friends told her she should have both breasts removed, primarily for appearance sake. But her doctor immediately told her she should receive genetic testing before making such a major decision. The test revealed the presence of the BRCA1gene. Women with this gene have a higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer. After discovery of BRCA1 gene, the oncologist recommended removal of both breasts after further tests showed precancerous conditions in the right one.

“It’s very hard for a young, single woman to have a double mastectomy,” Monica explains. “They (my breasts) were an important part of my sex life.”

Monica received her care at St. Vincent Comprehensive Cancer Center in Manhattan. In addition to the operation, she underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy, 6 weeks of radiation treatment, and breast reconstruction. She also participated in a national chemotherapy study involving drug dosages. Monica kept her ovaries, despite the increased risk of cancer because of the BRCA1 gene, in the hopes of one day having children. However, in 2006 she was diagnosed with stage IIIC ovarian cancer and had her ovaries removed.

Today she is cancer free, but continues to go for checkups every 6 weeks.

Monica was aided in her efforts to fight cancer by her father and sister, who both had experienced the disease. Her father had esophageal and her sister also had breast cancer. Monica also focused hard on her work to keep busy.

In 2002, Monica decided to help others facing breast cancer and founded the not-for-profit organization CANCER101. The organization helps empower newly diagnosed metastatic cancer patients and their caregivers with the tools and resources needed to manage their treatment.

The organization offers lectures, support groups, and wellness programs. It operates primarily in the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts area.

For more information, go to www.cancer101.org.