9: Young Doesn’t Mean Safe: Kiara Prince on Being Diagnosed With Breast Cancer at 36

At 36 years old, Kiara Prince was diagnosed with breast cancer with no family history, no genetic risk, and no warning signs. In this episode of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, Kiara shares how she discovered her lump by accident, what it felt like to hear the words “you have breast cancer” at such a young age, and how she navigated the overwhelming decisions around surgery, treatment, and hormone therapy. Kiara also opens up about the financial realities of treatment, the support of her family and friends, and how she found strength through visibility, sisterhood, and faith. Her story is a wake-up call for young Black women to listen to their bodies, advocate for themselves, and never delay getting checked. This conversation is raw, emotional, and full of hope. Stay tuned as Kiara reminds us that survivorship is more than survival: it’s resilience, advocacy, and choosing joy in the face of fear. ✨ Learn more: sistersnetworkinc.org   🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship KEY POINTS:  - [3:31] Discovering the lump by accident while at home - [8:25] Going through a biopsy alone and getting the diagnosis - [11:07] The whirlwind of appointments, genetic testing, and facing reality - [13:49] Losing her job, navigating COBRA, and the financial strain of treatment - [15:20] Moving back to Texas for family support - [16:29] Surgery decisions: lumpectomy vs. mastectomy - [19:08] Facing the choice of chemotherapy vs. radiation - [22:57] Hormone suppression, side effects, and medical menopause at 37 - [29:58] Long-term medications and living with extreme fatigue - [32:21] Learning the statistics for young Black women with breast cancer - [35:34] How her family, friends, and father’s health guidance supported her - [39:37] The hardest part: telling her family and processing alone - [41:22] The power of visibility and young women sharing their journeys online - [43:53] What “survivor” means to Kiara today - [47:54] Kiara’s advice to young Black women under 40 QUOTES: "No one knows your body like you. If you see, feel anything abnormal that you know was not there a couple weeks ago, a month ago, get it checked out. Do not hesitate." – Kiara Prince "This diagnosis didn't break me, it actually built a new version of me." – Kiara Prince "Survivor means to listen to yourself. Listen to that inner voice – to never give up no matter what your diagnosis is, no matter what they're telling you, no matter what they're recommending or suggesting, to always just listen to yourself, to keep going, to keep a positive attitude – because that's the most important thing." – Kiara Prince "Being young doesn't protect you, but awareness does." – Kiara Prince RESOURCES:  Website - sistersnetworkinc.org IG -  @sistersnetwork YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast