My name is Phaedra, and I am a two-time breast cancer survivor from North Carolina.
I often say I am probably the first person to ever compete on a national pageant stage with tissue expanders—and I wear that truth with pride.
When I learned my breast cancer had returned, I was terrified. I knew this time I needed to take a more aggressive treatment approach, which included a bilateral mastectomy. What I didn’t know was what my body would look like afterward—or how I would feel in it.
Then came another realization.
Just three months later, I was scheduled to compete on a national stage, in a swimsuit, in front of thousands of people.
The fear was real.
But so was my determination.
I made a decision in that moment:
I would not let cancer take this opportunity from me.
With hope, strength, and courage, I told myself, “It will be fine. I can do this.”
And I did.
I stepped onto that stage not just for myself, but for every person navigating breast cancer who may feel unsure, uncomfortable, or disconnected from their body during or after treatment. I wanted to show that life does not stop because your body changes—and that confidence is not defined by scars, surgery, or reconstruction timelines.
Today, I hold the title of Mrs. International, and my journey is featured on Learn Look Locate’s Confidence With Courage page—where stories like mine exist to remind people that confidence and courage can coexist, even in the hardest seasons.
Breast cancer may have changed my body—but it did not take my confidence, my dreams, or my voice.
I hope my story helps others see that they are still powerful, still worthy, and still allowed to live boldly—exactly as they are.
— Phaedra
Q1. Can people continue competing or performing after breast cancer surgery?
A: Yes. Many survivors choose to continue pursuing passions during or after treatment, on their own timeline.
Q2. What are tissue expanders?
A: Tissue expanders are temporary devices placed after mastectomy to prepare the chest for reconstruction or healing.
Q3. How can confidence change after breast cancer?
A: Confidence may look different, but many survivors find deeper strength and self-trust through their journey.
Q4. Why is visibility important for breast cancer survivors?
A: Seeing real bodies and real stories helps others feel less alone and more empowered in their own choices.
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