CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Having tested positive for the BRCA2 gene mutation, Shadie Copeland knew breast cancer would be part of her own story but didn't expect it to be her personal battle. Not this soon at least.
In 2015, when Copeland was 30 years old both her mother and aunt were diagnosed with breast cancer.
"It's been nine years of scanning mammogram every six months, MRI every six months," Copeland said.
The mother of two young boys said because of the BRCA2 mutation, doctors recommended a double mastectomy 10 years before the youngest person with breast cancer in her family.
"Fifty-four was the youngest person in my family. I was 39. So in my mind, I had five more years to sort of think about this," Copeland said. "So I felt a lump last September. And a week later, I had a scheduled MRI. So we found out then."
After two surgeries, five months of chemotherapy and over six weeks of daily radiation, she went into Novant's three-month wellness program.
In January, the avid runner not only returned to her full-time as an interior designer but she also found herself with a new goal.
"I was recovering from surgery in November last year," Copeland recalled. "We watched the New York City Marathon and I thought, 'Wouldn't this be cool?'"
Copeland credits her family.
"One of the things that's kind of driven me the most, is my family," she explained. "So to be able to show them that I'm still strong. Still tough. And I think that helps me to feel like I'm alleviating a little bit of their pain and worry."
Novant oncologist Dr. Kimberly Strickland said knowing family history and early detection was key in Copeland getting the treatment she needs.
"That's actually how Shadie found out that she had this specific mutation," Strickland said. "Without that knowledge, she would not have been getting screened and most likely would have been found to have cancer at a much later stage because of that."
By running the New York City Marathon, Copeland's goal is to raise more than $14,500, which all goes toward cancer research.
Contact Jane Monreal at jmonreal@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.