Michelle Meza has been a driver with the Charlotte Maxwell Clinic since 2017, helping transport clients to and from their appointments. When asked how she came to be a CMC volunteer, this is the story that unfolded:

“I remember my last breast biopsy. I was the youngest lady in my doctor’s office waiting room and I said ‘Something is wrong here. I’ve had three biopsies!’ This last one was pre-cancerous which was stage 0 and I was like, ‘What is going on here, Michelle? We’re in our 30s and this is just crazy!’

For me it was crazy because my mom didn’t have breast cancer until she was 50 and then my grandmother was in her late 80s when ovarian cancer happened for her, so I should be looking to my 40s and 50s where this is a problem, not my 30s. And the only thing that I could pinpoint of why I had these breast issues was the food I was consuming.” It became a matter of extensive research and learning how to be selective about the foods I purchase. I now only eat organic meats, vegetables and fruits. I had to give up wine.

I’ve learned from this journey with my breast health and because my mom is a survivor of breast cancer, my grandmother had ovarian cancer, that I have a stronger gene pool of having cancer that affects womanly body parts and that’s why I’m such a strong advocate for finding healthy foods.

I got rid of all the plastics in the house. My husband was not happy with that, but in my research, I found that chemicals such as BPA in plastics can linger in our bodies and cause harm. I now make my own cleaning products with lemon and vinegar.

If women who are facing breast issues can make these small changes–it may seem like a lot money-wise, and a lot of information and you can get overwhelmed, but in the end—I really feel that it is the best that you can possibly do. And I still have a very high chance of having breast cancer. If this is all I can do to try not to have breast cancer, to lower my chances, even if it’s 5% or 10%, then I’m gonna do that.”

(To be continued…)