MONYETTA SHAW-CARTER shares its breast cancer battle

MONYETTA SHAW-CARTER revealed that she had fought breast cancer in the May 31 issue of People magazine. Shaw is an actress, mother, former radio personality and reality TV star. We may know you as one of the actors of Exes of AtlantaA spin-off of the Hollywood show with the same premise. Or more recently, as a “friend of” the casting Real Atlanta home women Also.

Shaw-Carter shared his experience frankly. After adopting a private approach to seek treatment for her breast cancer, the mother and the entrepreneur want to raise awareness by sharing what she experienced. She rang the bell on May 2, 2025, after 16 radiation cycles.

His first fear of breast cancer

“I had a biopsy about 10 years ago and returned benign,” said Shaw-Cartter. His possible diagnosis in 2024 came after the result of a self-examination.

“Last year in September, I was doing a self-truth because I felt this random feeling that I can’t really describe in my left breasts.

There are contradictory medical opinions on the merits of autonomy exams. According to the centers for Disease Control, “familiarizing yourself with the appearance and feeling of your breasts can help you notice symptoms such as lumps, pain or size changes that can be worrying.”

In the case of Shaw-Cartter, the realization of a self-examination was useful. The exam revealed to him that something had changed in his body before he met a doctor. It has prioritized priority to additional tests.

The necessary screenings were carried out quickly

The following month, she obtained a mammography which revealed that she was dealing with an invasive canal carcinoma of stadium 1. This type of breast cancer is extremely common. Patients diagnosed with this type of cancer have many available treatment options.

Shaw-Cartter opted for a tumorectomy and radiation after examining the methods that could work for its specific situation. Unlike a complete mastectomy, a tumorectomy consists in eliminating the cancer fabric inside the breasts rather than eliminating the whole breast of the body.

She considered her options and did genetic tests before making a treatment decision

By doing all biopsies and MRIs, I first planned to have a double mastectomy. But after my genetic tests came back favorable, and after having sat in my reality for a certain time, I decided tumorectomy, “said Shaw-Cartter.

Those who do not systematically receive mammograms are more likely to be diagnosed at stage 3 or 4. Shaw-Cartter pleaded to adopt a proactive approach to obtain regular screening.

“Because I caught cancer early, I will be there for my children,” she said. “There is nothing more important than being checked often and early to protect your future. Our health is irreplaceable. “

Early detection is important in all cases of breast cancer, but studies indicate that it is even more crucial for black women, who are much more likely to lose their lives. The Journal of Breast Cancer Research reports that “breast cancer mortality rates are 40% higher in black women compared to white women”. For black women over 50, the disparity in survival rates is even higher.

Having breast cancer can be mentally and emotionally trying.

Breast cancer has more impact than the body. He can have a severe mental and emotional toll. “It is a difficult disease that induces a crisis in the patient’s psychological balance and is perceived as a disaster in the eyes of the patient,” according to the Journal of Breast Health. Breast cancer, because of its association with traditional expectations of femininity, can still worsen these non -physical side effects.
Shaw-Cartter described what she initially thought of her diagnosis. “It was obviously one of the most difficult and frightening moments in my life,” she said. “All around me stopped. My heart fell. I was afraid. I was angry. I was just numb,” she added.

She posted on her current state of mind in a recent Instagram post celebrating her 45th anniversary, in which she wore a pink column dress adorned with rectangle -shaped crystals. It was a carousel pole. She wore pink boxing gloves, pink boxing trunks and a pink satin dress on another image, symbolizing her fight against breast cancer during the previous year of her life.

As a survivor, Shaw-Carter is grateful to be here.

Shaw-Carter described himself as “stronger than ever” and expressed his gratitude for those who supported him throughout the trip, including her family, friends and health workers who were dealing with her.

“This anniversary is more than candles and cakes … It is a celebration of life, a reflection of pain and goal, healing and grace of God. I faced one of the greatest battles of my life … and I won !!!”

Resources:

University of Rochester: self-examination of the breasts are no longer Recommended – Here What to do instead.

Disease control centers: breast cancer screening

National Cancer Foundation / Invasive Canal Carcinoma

Search foundation on breast cancer: disparities in black women and cancer: why they exist and how to end them.

The Journal of Breast Cancer Research (addition of polygenic risk score to a risk calculator for the prediction of breast cancer in black American women)

The newspaper for breast health (psychiatric symptoms and psychosocial problems in patients with breast cancer)