Often we find support, hope, solace and inspiration in the experiences of those who have previously walked the same path we do. 

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For those newly-diagnosed, or struggling with their diagnosis, take heart in the stories and advice of these Hartford HealthCare employees. They truly understand what you’re going through because they’ve gone through it, too.

Name: Melanie Daugherty

Title: Nurse Practitioner

Work location: Hartford HealthCare Medical Group, Breast Surgery

Age at breast cancer diagnosis: 45

Date of diagnosis: June 19, 2013

What do you look forward to? Living a long, healthy life and enjoying every minute of it.

What’s the best advice you would give a woman who is diagnosed with breast cancer today? It can be very overwhelming to hear this news. It is important to completely understand the diagnosis and the treatment plan as well as all the options available. Take time to digest all the information and then make a decision. It can be a very long process, but there is a lot of help along the way. Take it one day at a time!

The Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute provides the full spectrum of breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up services. Learn more here