South Florida Survivors: Woman Rides To Spread Mammogram Awareness

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - When the American Cancer Society changed its mammogram guidelines last October, women around the county took note.

"I think women, if you have breasts, should be checking, doing self-checks, because you never know. It could happen," said Tiffany Davis of Pembroke Pines.

Davis was surprised to hear women of average risk were being told to wait until they turned 45 for their first mammogram. She had her first at 28 after finding a lump in her armpit.

"At first they kind of brushed it off. Like 'Hey, you're young, you have nothing to worry about.' But I asked for a script for a mammogram," she said. "People were like, you're too young. You shouldn't get a mammogram until you're 40."

The test confirmed her worst fear. Tiffany had breast cancer.

Her team of doctors recommended she undergo a double mastectomy, along with a grueling regimen of radiation and chemotherapy.

"Everything pretty much changed about me while on chemo. I did things I didn't want to do. Ate things I didn't want to eat," she said.

But those changes, coupled with treatment, helped save her life.

Today, a little over a year after being diagnosed, Tiffany is cancer free, and ready to ride. She will join thousands of cyclists Saturday for the Dolphins Cancer Challenge, a bike ride designed to raise awareness and money for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Tiffany says she's riding for her grandmother, who battled breast cancer for 13 years, and a friend, another young woman, who was just recently diagnosed.

"Since being diagnosed, I've taken something negative and turned it in to something positive. I've started speaking out more. I've met more young women affected by the disease," she said.

Tiffany says her experience prompted her friends to ask for mammograms, but many were denied because of their age.

She hopes they never wind up on a similar path, but if they do, she has a lesson on surviving.

"I just think being a survivor is just standing in the paint and fighting for your life," she said.

The American Cancer Society guidelines encourage women to seek mammograms earlier than 45 if they have a family history of the disease.

Tune in to CBS 4 on Friday at 7 p.m. for the "CBS 4 News Live Special Dolphins Cancer Challenge: Cancer Fighters". We'll introduce you to more survivors like Tiffany, and tell you how you can help find a cure for cancer.