At just 26 years old, LaShae Rolle, a promising Ph.D. candidate at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, faced a challenge no one could have predicted. During a self-exam, she discovered a lump in her breast. With no family history of cancer and no other risk factors, she initially thought it was benign. But a visit to Sylvester led to a life-altering diagnosis: multicentric breast cancer, a rare and aggressive form of the disease.
"I had no risk factors," Rolle recalled. "If I had waited until age 45 for screening, I wouldn't have made it." This realization inspired her to advocate for awareness among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) about the importance of self-exams, a practice she credited with saving her life.
Rolle underwent a unilateral mastectomy to remove one breast, chemotherapy and proton radiation. She also faced a tough decision: Should she preserve her fertility? She chose to freeze her eggs but realized others might not have access to similar resources. "I can imagine the loneliness many may experience," she said.
Sylvester's AYA support group became her lifeline, and she joined two clinical trials. Her resilience extended beyond her research work. A former college basketball player turned competitive powerlifter, she now uses social media to inspire others, sharing her fitness journey during treatment.
"My experience gives me a new perspective," she said. "Even though this is terrible now, I want to motivate others and help survivors feel less alone."