5 years cancer-free: A look at life after the bell rings

Five years ago, Michelle Avery received a diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer. This week, new test results confirmed she is now cancer-free for that full half-decade. While the number marks a major milestone in her medical history, Avery and hairstylist Tameisha Effinger say the journey did not end when their treatments stopped. Their stories, connected a year ago by a local news segment, now serve as a framework for understanding the lingering effects of the disease.

Effinger, a resident of McDonough, initially went public with her story to help other women cope with hair loss during chemotherapy. That broadcast brought Avery into her life. Avery recalled watching the news that morning and thinking the young woman was offering hope to people struggling with their own appearance. Avery eventually sought Effinger’s help, creating a bond that has lasted through the subsequent months of recovery.

The physical path after surviving a diagnosis is rarely linear. Effinger noted that she was unprepared for the additional treatments required after her initial procedures. She described the start of radiation therapy as feeling like a second diagnosis. The process was followed by surgery, a period of recovery, and immunotherapy. Effinger said this extended timeline brought back a mix of anxiety and fear as she adjusted to her new physical state.

Avery has also learned to manage the daily reality of life post-cancer. She described the process as picking herself up each day to continue fighting. She emphasized that the emotional weight of the disease does not vanish simply because the tumors are gone. Both women now participate in support groups, using their experiences to encourage others to undergo regular screenings and to honor those they have lost to the disease.

The National Cancer Institute reports that the five-year relative survival rate for women with breast cancer, across all types, is more than 91 percent. As Breast Cancer Awareness Month concludes, Effinger and Avery point to these statistics as a source of encouragement. Effinger noted that she has lost 35 pounds and is growing into a new look as her hair returns. She and Avery focus on the present moment, viewing their survival as an ongoing practice rather than a single event.

For both women, the work continues. They advise others to give themselves grace, rest when necessary, and lean on a community for support. The goal is to move forward without being defined by the disease. Effinger said she does not need to look like she is suffering to prove her strength. She and Avery plan to keep sharing their messages of resilience, reminding others that a light exists on the other side of the struggle.