Living examples of hope and determination against cancer

Their battle with cancer is not the only thing that unites the Labrada sisters of Houston who are now cancer-free and strong advocates for women taking charge of their bodies.

They want women to understand the importance of early detection and become knowledgeable about treatment options as they battle the deadly disease. The trio credits their medical care at Harris Health System and The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and a commitment to faith and each other for their positive results.

Tamara Carlón, Diana Rivera and Yadira Peña had never even heard the word "cancer" uttered in their family. That all changed in 1999 when Tamara at age 25, and three months pregnant, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer on her right breast.

Doctors counseled her on the difficulty of continuing her pregnancy and still aggressively battling her late-stage cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma. However, she insisted on having her baby. She began a low-dose chemotherapy program. At 32 weeks of pregnancy, she delivered a healthy baby boy, David, by Caesarian section. She believes her pregnancy helped her find the growing tumor in time to survive.

A month after his birth, she had a mastectomy and began a more aggressive treatment plan. Within a year and a half, she completed her treatment and oncologists had eradicated all traces of cancer.

"Many women take care of their families before they take care of themselves. But, it's important to take care of ourselves to be able to take care of others," she says. "Women of all ages should check their breasts. That's the best way. We know our bodies better than anyone. I tell people to go see their doctor at first warning."

In 2002, oldest sister, Yadira, 34 years at the time, felt a mass in her right breast that turned out to be stage 3 cancer. Oncologists also found cancer cells in her left breast. After an aggressive treatment plan of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, she was cancer-free after a year and a half. By this time, oncologists were suspicious that Tamara and Yadira were genetically predisposed for cancer.

"We're a very close family and always come together," Yadira says. "Cancer is no different. It's something that we battled and overcame together."

Following genetic testing, both Tamara and Yadira tested positive for the BRCA1 gene. Additionally, Yadira tested positive for the BRCA2 gene. Sister Diana also took the test and tested positive for the BRCA1 cancer gene.

A couple of years later in 2004, Diana was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. Knowing her risk, she opted for a double mastectomy. The National Cancer Institute predicts women with the BRCA gene are five times more likely to develop cancer in their lifetime. Today, Diana is cancer free.

"I had two choices; I could approach this as poor me or be brave," Diana remembers. "I got dressed and put on make-up every day and when my children came home from school, I was out of bed. I had no time to be sick or tired. I enjoy life more now after cancer. Every morning, with sun or rain, I just enjoy life."

However, cancer was not done with the sisters. In 2010, Tamara, an advocate of breast self-examinations, spotted a growth in her left breast during one such exam that later was diagnosed malignant. After another mastectomy, she's again cancer-free.

For precautionary reasons, Yadira opted for the removal of her ovaries. During the procedure, doctors found a suspicious mass behind her ovaries that later tested cancerous.

Today, the Labrada sisters, Tamara, 39, Diana, 42 and Yadira, 45, are living examples of hope and determination. They insist women should make their well-being a priority.