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More Than a Pink Ribbon: What an Olympian's Breast Cancer Story Can Teach Us About Knowing Our Bodies

Writer: bee morales saldías
bee morales saldías
Oct 9
3 min read

As a girl growing up, we hear stories; sex education talks about learning how to do a quick self-exam to check if you have any bumps or anything strange.

It is a terrifying experience, as the Cancer Society estimates that 321,910 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 42,140 deaths will occur in U.S. women in 2026.

For athletes, it isn’t different.



Their focus is usually on strength, performance, and reaching the next finish line. But for four-time U.S. Olympian Chaunté Lowe, one of the biggest challenges of her career came off the track. While preparing for another Olympic Games, Lowe was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, changing the way she viewed competition, health, and her future.



Lowe, a high jumper who competed at four Olympic Games, has publicly shared her experience with breast cancer to encourage women to take their health seriously. Her story demonstrates that athletes, despite their physical fitness and highly active lifestyles, are not immune to serious health conditions.


When Health Becomes Part of the Competition

A cancer diagnosis can change an athlete's relationship with their body. Training is built around understanding physical limits, recognizing changes, and pushing toward improvement. A diagnosis can introduce an entirely different set of physical and emotional challenges.

For Lowe, treatment became part of her journey while she was still thinking about competition. Her experience highlights an important message for women athletes: physical fitness does not replace preventive healthcare.

Regular medical appointments, understanding personal and family health history, knowing what changes to look for, and discussing appropriate screening with healthcare professionals can all play an important role in women's health.}



The Importance of Knowing Your Risk

Lowe's experience also highlights the importance of understanding family history. Several factors, including genetics, family history, and age, can influence a person's risk of breast cancer.

For women athletes, busy training schedules, competitions, and travel can make preventive appointments easy to postpone.



However, prioritizing health screenings and conversations with healthcare providers can help women make informed decisions about their health.

Remember that screening recommendations vary by age, personal risk, and medical history. Women should speak with their healthcare providers about which screenings are appropriate for them.


What you need to know about breast cancer?


Chaunté Lowe is a World Champion, and she took the time to prioritize her health this October and for the whole year, so should everyone, every single one of our readers. So here are some facts about breast cancer that you should know:

  • Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, making awareness and early detection important global health priorities.

  • In 2024, an estimated 2.4 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide.

  • Around 80% of breast cancers occur in women without a specific risk factor other than being female and getting older—so having no family history does not mean someone has no risk.

  • Alcohol consumption is a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer, meaning reducing alcohol intake can help lower an individual's risk.

  • In the U.S., breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women, aside from skin cancers.

  • Another important fact is that more than 4 million people in the U.S. are living with a history of breast cancer, including those currently receiving treatment and survivors.

Here is also a guide on how to do a quick self-examination:




Breast Cancer Awareness Month should be more than a monthly campaign. Instead, it should be a continuous, year-round conversation.

Yet here are some important dates for this month:

  • Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day – October 13

  • National Mammography Day – October 16

From now on, learn your family history. Learn about your personal risk. Ask screening questions. Pay attention to changes in your body and speak with a healthcare professional when something concerns you. And, most importantly, understand that preventive care looks different for everyone.

Breast cancer awareness is ultimately about knowledge, action, and access. By improving health literacy and encouraging informed conversations with healthcare providers, awareness can become more than a message—it can become a step toward earlier detection, better care, and healthier communities.



References

Chaunte Lowe. (2020). Susan G. Komen®. https://www.komen.org/share-your-story/chaunte-lowe/

Conner, K. (2022). Breast Cancer Myths Versus Facts. Breastcancer.Org. https://www.breastcancer.org/facts-statistics/myths-vs-facts

‌World Health Organization: WHO. (2026). Breast cancer. Who. Int; World Health Organization: WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer

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