estrogen-blocking cancer drug, Tamoxifen.
In preparation for her competition, Langley decided to take a few of the supplements that had the least risk much to Hahn’s concern.
“It’s not necessarily something I recommend for my patients, but I knew this competition was important to her, and it was important in her recovery. After she and I had a discussion, she accepted that there was a risk involved in taking these supplements,” Hahn, who insisted on closely monitoring her liver function with extra tests, shares.
Langley was adamant about using supplements due to her fear that as a natural athlete that doesn’t use steroids, she wouldn’t be able to compete against other female bodybuilders who are enhanced by steroids.
However, as competition day arrived, that fear was diminished. Langley was just as muscular as her competitors and won more medals than she could have imagined. In May 2021, after six months of intense training, she took home a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place medal.
Langley gives all the credit to her parents, Isaac and Alisa Langley; her fiancé, Vermine A. Matthews; and his parents, Vermine D. and Shirley Matthews, for showing love and support throughout her treatment and training.
She also credits her trainer Bolo, who she calls “a true inspiration and hero.” Bolo has no doubt that Langley has a bright future in bodybuilding.
“She knew she was going to get there, even if the journey was going to be difficult,” Garza shares. “The most important thing is that her cancer is treated and that she’s at decreased risk for another cancer. But she worked really hard to be even better than she was when she started this journey.”
Langley hopes her story will inspire and encourage others.
“Don’t be naive,” she says. “Prior to this, I was working out, I didn’t abuse my body, I didn’t drink excessively or do drugs. It can happen to anyone. I had to rely heavily on my faith and my family. Without those two things, I couldn’t have made it through. There were times I wanted to cry and go into a shell and my family would say, ‘OK, you have five minutes. Do what you need to do’ — At the end of the five minutes, we’ll focus on the positive. That’s what really helped to push me through.”
RELATED: 5 Commonly Overlooked Signs of Breast Cancer
What is HER2-positive breast cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society, “HER2 is a protein that helps breast cancer cells grow quickly. Breast cancer cells with higher than normal levels of HER2 are called HER2-positive. These cancers tend to grow and spread faster than breast cancers that are HER2-negative, but are much more likely to respond to treatment with drugs that target the HER2 protein.”
Because a lump in the breast is the most common symptom of breast cancer, the best way to detect breast cancer is through self-exams and mammograms. You should also weigh your risk factors, which will help you determine if you are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. If you have a family history of breast cancer, talk with your doctor about whether you should get genetic testing. Lastly, watch out for common breast cancer symptoms. These include:
- Breast swelling
- A change in its shape
- Skin irritation or dimpling
- Pain in the breast or nipple
- Redness or thickness of the nipple or breast skin
- Discharge from the nipple (not breast milk)
If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor.