Reflecting on Progress, Power, and the Path Ahead Over the last 15-years, Cancer-Free.

By DANA DONOFREE

Fifteen years. A milestone I once wasn’t sure I would reach. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 27 years old, I could barely think about the next 15 days, let alone 15 years. And yet, here I am—celebrating this moment not just as a survivor, but as an advocate, a business owner, and someone who has witnessed firsthand the evolution of breast cancer care, treatment, and recovery.

Looking back to 2010, the landscape for young breast cancer patients was drastically different. The conversation about survivorship, body image, and self-confidence barely scratched the surface. Breast cancer was often reduced to a pink ribbon, a one-size-fits-all narrative that didn’t account for the deeply personal, complex, and diverse experiences of those going through it. Surgery outcomes were rarely discussed, options were limited, and the idea of feeling beautiful after breast cancer was almost nonexistent.

I founded AnaOno because I knew that had to change. Over the past decade and a half, we’ve been at the forefront of this transformation, ensuring that every person facing a breast cancer diagnosis—no matter their surgery outcome—feels seen, supported, and celebrated. The industry is finally catching up, recognizing that breast surgery isn’t just medically necessary; it’s also a personal choice. Whether someone chooses implant reconstruction, flap reconstruction, aesthetic flat closure, the Goldilocks procedure, fat grafting, or another cutting edge technique, every choice deserves equal representation. And more importantly, every choice deserves undergarments that fit and empower.

The medical advancements over the past 15 years have been incredible. We now have better treatments that extend lives, and while early detection remains crucial, effective therapies have given patients more hope than ever before. But with these advancements comes a stark reality: more and more people—particularly young women—are being diagnosed with breast cancer. Recent studies show an alarming increase in diagnoses for women under 50, a statistic that should force us to reevaluate our approach to prevention, awareness, and lifestyle choices.

As women, as business owners, as advocates, we must pay attention to these trends. We must be mindful of our own health, commit to regular screenings, and embrace the best practices for longevity—balancing diet, exercise, stress management, and self-monitoring. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of daily life, but our health is our foundation. If we don’t care for ourselves, we can’t care for our families, our businesses, or our communities.

And within this community, I am forever grateful for the women who have shaped and strengthened it—women like Margy from Just Like a Woman and Cheryl from Scarlett’s Unmentionables. Their work, their passion, and their unwavering dedication to helping those affected by breast cancer left a lasting impact on so many. Their recent passing is a heartbreaking reminder of how much further we have to go, but also how powerful our collective efforts have been in changing lives.

Breast cancer is not just about “boobs”—it’s about the whole person. Over the years, the conversation has shifted, evolved, and sometimes even regressed, but what remains constant is our need to put people first. It’s about our health, our choices, our dignity. It’s about ensuring that no one has to go through this experience feeling alone, unseen, or less than.

Fifteen years ago, I couldn’t have imagined the progress we’ve made, but I also know we have so much more work to do. I am grateful to be here, to witness this evolution, and to continue pushing for change.

Together, we can keep moving forward—one step, one story, and one survivor at a time.

Read More Articles by Dana Donofree in her Breast Health Column on Lingerie Briefs