Endurance athlete beats cancer, trains for triathlon
At age 29, U.S. Navy Veteran Lindsey Davis, an experienced runner, was sidelined by a hurdle like none she had ever encountered before—breast cancer.
The power of self-advocacy
Davis’ doctor found a lump in her breast while she was still active duty, back in 2017, and sent her to a nearby naval hospital in San Diego for an ultrasound. The radiologist there told her she was too young to have cancer and that her dense breast tissue prevented them from seeing anything on the ultrasound. They refused to give Davis a mammogram and advised her to wait until she turned 40.
So, she waited. Over the next five years, Davis repeatedly informed her doctor of worsening symptoms—severe hair loss, bruising on her body, extreme fatigue and breast pain. Her medical team in California countered her concerns with more comments about her youth and told her she looked too healthy for serious problems.
Davis also experienced unintentional weight loss, which, by May 2022, made the lump visible to the naked eye.
“I noticed it poking out of my rib cage while I was getting dressed one day,” she said. “Given my medical history, symptoms and family history of breast cancer, I knew deep down what it was.”
She kept a diary to track symptoms and changes in her body, which also documented her growing concern.
Davis moved to Colorado in early August 2022 and, two weeks after relocating, she visited Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center’s emergency department. Medical staff assessed the lump, ordered an immediate mammogram and on August 30, 2022, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“It was quite an abrupt life shift,” said Davis. “I got extremely intensive chemotherapy treatment.”
This endurance athlete underwent a double mastectomy in April 2023. Complications followed, leading to a severe infection that nearly took her life. By August, she was so weakened by the chemotherapy, she used a walker.
Healing after cancer treatment
In November 2023, scans from her oncologist came back clear, and Davis rang the victory bell in the infusion clinic after her last treatment on February 27, 2024.
“It feels like a miracle—I’m officially cancer-free,” said Davis. “It was tough, but I made it through. You have to take it one day at a time. If that’s too much, take it one hour or one minute at a time.”
Now, at age 31, Davis is training for a triathlon in June. The 70.3-mile Half Ironman event challenges athletes to swim 1.2 miles, cycle 56 miles and run 13.1 miles.
Listening to your body
As an athlete, Davis knows her body. She encourages other Veterans to pay attention to changes in their health and not delay when concerns arise.
“You live in your body,” she said. “If you feel something’s wrong, you’re the best expert. If the doctor won’t listen, get a second, third or fourth opinion and advocate for yourself.”
Davis currently trains six days a week—swimming, running, cycling and weightlifting.
She also finds time for her job, daily doctor’s appointments, physical therapy and other treatments.
Importance of support and a positive attitude
Davis understands the importance of staying positive and not giving up and draws strength from an awareness that wherever the mind goes, the body will follow.
“It’s been a few really rough years with lots of challenges,” said Davis. “Fortunately, with endurance sports, your body performs better as you age, like fine wine.”
She said it’s important to find gratitude in the smallest things and reach out for help.
“If your team or family doesn’t know what’s going on, they can’t help you,” said Davis. “VA has so many resources if you just open up and ask. As dark as the days can get when going through cancer treatment, brighter days are ahead. Don’t give up on yourself and always have hope.”
Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC staff, from oncology to whole health to the transport team, helped Davis through this health journey.
“They are phenomenal,” she said. “They know me on a first-name basis. The whole hospital feels like family and is supportive. They’ve met with my family and made me feel safe and secure. I’ve never experienced anything like that medically. They truly care and support my athletic dreams. I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Davis, who can now add “cancer survivor” to her list of challenges overcome, shared her story to raise awareness about breast cancer and promote self-advocacy. If you are experiencing health issues, regardless of age or perceived health, express your concerns to your VA primary care provider.
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. VA provides mammogram screenings to detect breast cancer early, when it is most treatable. If you have concerns about changes to your breasts, talk with your VA primary care provider as soon as possible.
VA uses the American Cancer Society's breast cancer screening guidelines and recommends that all women begin getting yearly mammograms by age 45 and every other year at age 55. You may also choose to start screening with yearly mammograms at age 40, or even earlier, if you have additional risk factors, such as certain genetic mutations, a family history of breast cancer or other specific concerns.
- - - - -
April Love is a writer-editor on the VISN 19 Creative Task Force. She began working for VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System in 2016 and lives in Aurora, Colorado.