The Power of Knowing: Why Prevention & Early Detection Matter More Than We Think
April is National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month.
Of course, this is always deeply personal.
On Monday, I had an endoscopy and a colonoscopy.
Not because something was definitively wrong, but because something didn’t feel right, and after everything I’ve been through, I’ve learned to listen to my body differently. What used to feel like “maybe it’s nothing” now feels like “let’s check.” And unfortunately, my mind doesn’t go to “it’s probably nothing” anymore, it goes straight to cancer.
Thankfully, everything came back clear. But the experience brought me right back to something I think about often:
Early detection isn’t just medical, it’s emotional.
The Shift That Happens After Diagnosis
Before cancer, I didn’t think about screenings. I saw them as an age requirement. You turn 40, you get a mammogram. You turn 45, you get a colonoscopy. I had never heard about genetic risks. I didn't understand how much information was available to me, how important it could be, and sure as hell never tried to understand it.
I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at 37, and that diagnosis revealed I carry a genetic mutation called BRCA2. Knowing this didn't just explain my diagnosis, it changed the course of my life. It informed my surgeries, guided my treatment decisions and it gave me information I wish I had earlier.
Prevention Isn’t About Fear....It’s About Control
There’s a misconception that screening and testing are scary, and they absolutely can be. But, what I've learned is: not knowing doesn't protect you, it's knowing that gives you OPTIONS.
Prevention and early detection are about being proactive, about catching things earlier when more options exist, and about advocating for yourself even when it feels uncomfortable. These are the things I wish I had BEFORE my diagnosis.
What Early Detection Can Look Like
It's a mixture of things from awareness, to access, to action that give you early detection. From scheduling routine screenings (mammograms, colonoscopies, skin checks), to paying attention to changes in your body, to understanding and knowing your family history, to exploring genetic testing and ultimately to asking questions and most importantly pushing for answers. It may be a routine appointment or just that gut feeling you get but either way, both are important.
Resources to Know
If you are unsure where to start, here are some incredible organizations and tools that make early detection and prevention easier.
- JScreen: A national nonprofit that offers at-home genetic testing for cancer risks and other hereditary conditions. It’s accessible, affordable, and incredibly informative. If you are inclined, use my code: LAUREN10 to get $10 off your own kit. It's my gift to you.
- FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered): A powerful resource for those with hereditary cancer risk (like BRCA mutations). They provide support, research updates, and guidance.
- Colorectal Cancer Alliance: Offers resources on colon cancer screening, symptoms, and prevention—plus support for those navigating testing.
- Skin Cancer Foundation: Education on prevention, early detection, and what to look for when it comes to skin changes.
- American Cancer Society: Comprehensive screening guidelines and prevention resources across all cancer types.
Why This Matters to Me, and to POST SWIM
POST SWIM was born from what happens after a diagnosis. But, if there's anything I can say to you in honor of this month, it's this:
If you have the chance to detect something earlier, take it. Don't wait. Make an appointment, ask your doctor questions, take the test. Be proactive and do the things your future self will thank you for because prevention and early detection aren't about expecting the worse, they are about giving yourself the best possible outcome.
A Final Thought
I really didn't think a routine procedure this week would bring up so much reflection, but I guess that's the point. These moments (appointments, tests, waiting) are not interruptions, they are part of taking care of ourselves and that is something worth showing up for.
XO,
Lauren
Founder, POST SWIM