When Sadio Doucoure felt a lump in her breast, she initially believed it was normal. Afterall, her mammogram the year before had shown no concerns. Then, a video on social media featuring a TV news anchor’s breast cancer experience persuaded her not to wait.
“That video scared me. It’s what made me think about getting my lump checked out,” Doucoure recalls. “I couldn’t sleep that night. The next day I called to make an appointment for a mammogram.”
Doucoure is among several patients Harris Health will feature during its Pink Out Celebration in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. By sharing stories of resilience and determination, the survivors hope to encourage others facing a cancer diagnosis.
Krystal Luong, supervisor, Cancer Resource Center, Harris Health, says Doucoure’s decision to seek care after noticing a change in her body carries an important message.
“Patients must learn to speak out about their healthcare concerns as soon as possible,” Luong explains. “If you notice a lump, change or anything unusual in your breast, tell your doctor right away. Reporting changes early can help find problems sooner or give you peace of mind if everything is okay. Even if your recent mammogram was normal, new changes should be checked by a healthcare provider.”
Doucoure had her breast exam at Harris Health Smith Clinic on April 15, 2024. Three days later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Alone when she received the news, her first thoughts were of her son and daughter, who has Down syndrome and is nonverbal.
“It was the worst day of my life. I immediately thought I was going to die,” she recalls. “All I could think of was my children.”
She began chemotherapy, followed by radiation and surgery. The treatment brought difficult side effects and several emergency room visits, but Doucoure says her children gave her a reason to keep fighting.
Today, she receives care through Harris Health’s Survivorship Clinic and hopes her experience will help and encourage women beginning their own breast cancer journeys.
“It’s hard, but they need to fight for themselves,” she explains. “The care I received at Smith Clinic was amazing. Staff were so nice and helped support me throughout my treatment.”
On Oct. 15, Harris Health will recognize breast cancer survivors during the system’s annual Pink Out Celebration. At the event, staff will unveil the Harris Health 2026-2027 Breast Cancer Survivors Calendar that features Doucoure’s story and that of 11 other survivors.
The calendar is a collaboration among Harris Health and its medical school partners: Baylor College of Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. Harris Health is sharing survivors’ experiences to raise awareness, offer information, encouragement and hope to patients and families facing breast cancer.
Harris Health encourages patients to talk with their healthcare providers about breast cancer screening recommendations and to promptly report any new or unusual breast changes. For information on Advanced Cancer Care at Harris Health, visit harrishealth.org
