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Meet the Models, NYC: Caryn Finley

In 2013 Caryn Finley’s mother was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. Treatment went well and she remains cancer free, but what was particularly good news to Caryn was her mother’s genetic testing revealed no positives. For Caryn, it meant continuing with yearly mammograms to monitor her risk.

At 43, her mammogram came back suspicious and she “was a total mess.” A breast cancer diagnosis felt especially brutal with her son only being 5. Overall, Caryn felt scared and alone. What helped was her incredible medical team who guided her through treatment. Though she wanted a mastectomy to begin with (“I didn’t want to have the chance of recurrence always on my mind”), her doctor said it wasn’t an option to start, so she received a lumpectomy. When margins weren’t clear, she was able to get a mastectomy: “that was perhaps the greatest blessing, that those margins weren’t clear.” 

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Her family stepped up to help her in recovery from her “broken boob,” as her son affectionately called it. Her husband provided support during physical recovery and helped emotionally support Caryn through the jarring experience. Her parents were especially present to help her through all the little moments, like when everyone kept saying “sorry” in response to the news. The sorry’s made Caryn feel like she was going to die and it’s why she is careful to never to say it to anyone newly diagnosed. 

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Today, she aims to pay it forward by being a resource for women facing a diagnosis. She refers back to advice she was given: “Caryn, you’re going to die an old lady from something that isn’t cancer.” Caryn is quick to note that early detection and treatment means you can take a breath and remember, “you are going to be ok.” 

For her own journey, Caryn reflects, “I can do hard things. I am kind of a badass. Surviving this gave me warrior power. It was a great example to myself that I can overcome things.”