Check Out Asha Miller’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Asha Miller. 

Hi Asha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
So, I always start my story in 2016 when I went in for a more routine surgery to remove a cyst on my uterus which due to complications, they ended up doing a more invasive surgery and removed one of my ovaries in the process. With the removal of my ovary, I went into an extremely deep depression and had severe anxiety for the months following. 

Trying to find a way to get back to myself was hard so I found a fitness center and joined a group fitness class to connect with my mind and body. Seeing the changes in my mental and physical health really excited me and I was later asked to become a fitness instructor at that same fitness center. 

I always tell people that I didn’t find fitness, fitness found me. 

Just 1 month after becoming a Certified Fitness Instructor, I felt a very small bump at the side of my right breast, near my armpit while in the shower. 

It was so small that my mom and husband could barely feel it and when I showed it to my PCP months later, she couldn’t either. 

She decided to send me for an ultrasound anyway because I felt the bump. I didn’t have any other symptoms. I felt stronger than I’d felt in my life. I was eating right and only 33 years old. I didn’t have any family history, that I knew of, that involved breast cancer, so I was calm this entire time. 

When the results came back, they told me that the ultrasound was clear for any abnormalities and to check back in 6 months if anything changed. It was only when the nurse added that the ultrasound is not 100%, that my mind changed and I decided to get one more test. 

Every doctor I saw in the days leading up to my biopsy, as well as the 30-year breast surgical oncologist, said that it was just a very tiny cyst and I had nothing to worry about. So, I didn’t, until 2 days after my biopsy when that same surgical oncologist called me at 8 am to let me know that I had breast cancer. To say I was shocked would be a gross understatement. 

I always say that I left my body in that moment and I’m still trying to come back home to it today. 

We found out after many more additional tests that I had an aggressive form of stage 3 breast cancer. I did months of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, many rounds of radiation and I’m currently in years of naturopathic cancer therapies. 

Because of a breast implant recall in 2019, I had to explant my implants in 2020 and go “flat” which was devastating to me. 

I had 6 surgeries in 2 years and this year is my first time not having a major surgery since 2016. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I believe every story has struggles along the way, cancer or not, so yes, many struggles and joys and pain and victories! 

The biggest struggles have honestly come since being considered NED (No Evidence of Disease) in 2020. 

What they call, “Survivorship” has been one with many ups and downs. 

I am no longer in active conventional treatment and yet I realized many of us are suffering with the long-term physical, emotional, and mental shock waves of cancer. 

I was diagnosed with PTSD and I’m so grateful I had an amazing therapist that walked with me through it all the last 6 years. I couldn’t have made it without him, my strong faith in God, and many of my friends and some of my family members. 

Realizing the need for community, resources, and a real-life look at what a young adult cancer patient can be is one of the reasons I started sharing my story on my Instagram page. 

Breast cancer isn’t pink tutus and 5k races. We aren’t all older or surviving our diagnosis. It’s brutal and scary and can bring you to your knees. 

And it can also be eye-opening and life redefining and bring you some Breasties that will make your life fuller and more fun and meaningful! We always say that the breast cancer community is not a community that we would want anyone to have to be a part of but if you do have to be a part of it it is the most warm and welcoming and empowering community! 

I would never wish cancer on anyone, and yet because of it I have walked in front of thousands of people in a New York Fashion Week runway show for AnaOno. I accepted the opportunity to introduce Target’s new line of mastectomy swimwear, I have been on countless podcasts, news articles, and have been able to share my story as hope to so many within my breast cancer community. 

In my own journey to figuring out how to love a body that betrayed me, I’ve found many others inside and outside the cancer community who’s struggling with the same questions. It’s really been a wild and unforgettable ride and it isn’t over because against all odds, I’m still here! 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I always laugh when asked this question because I have so many passions and as an entrepreneur, freelance writer, fitness instructor, and Instagram content creator, I have the gift to evolve my passions often. 

I am also a DEI board member for an amazing nonprofit called The Breasties and have been the Ohio Ambassador for them for the last 2 years. 

The Breasties is the first all-inclusive nonprofit organization that creates community for survivors, previvors, thrivers, and carevivors, impacted by breast and gynecological cancers. We’re on a mission to empower through connection, free events, and trusted resources, and to fund research for metastatic breast cancer. 

Working as an advocate within my breast cancer community has been so hard at times, but equally fulfilling! 

As a freelance writer and speaker, I share my story in hopes that it can empower others to become advocates for their own bodies when it comes to their physical and mental health. 

I’m a body love advocate because…well, as you know, in the society we live in, it’s hard to be radical enough to learn to love our imperfect bodies. 

I’m still on that journey and I love to take others along with me because body love isn’t something we should just “want” in out society, but something we truly need for us and the next generation! 

Having over 30 scars from my neck to my hip bones from 12 surgeries, and countless stretch marks, I have learned that showing my body love is one of the most important things I can do. 

When we can radically love those imperfect parts of ourselves, we are in turn allowing others around us to love theirs. 

Now, that’s pretty radical! 

How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
So, here are several ways that you can collaborate and support myself and the community I walk alongside of. 

First, FEEL IT ON THE FIRST. This movement was started by the late Nalie Augustin, a fellow breast cancer thriver. 

Every first of the month you empower yourself by feeling your body for your NORMAL, so if there IS something out of the norm, you can be your biggest advocate and get it checked out! 

Feel your breast/chest, your lymph nodes under your armpits, and those at your collarbone. For more detailed information on how to do a proper self-check, please go to https://thebreasties.org/breast-self-exam . 

Secondly, you can be sure that the “breast cancer-related” products and organizations that you are supporting are truly giving back to our community. 

There is a marketing tactic, called “Pink Washing” which is the exploitation of breast cancer for-profit or public relations. The act of supporting the breast cancer cause or promoting a pink ribbon product while actively producing manufacturing, or selling products linked to the disease. 

Pink Washing is happening when organizations use pink products to promote and increase their revenue without actually giving a substantial amount back to the breast cancer community or to helping fund the research towards a cure for metastatic breast cancer, which is the only breast cancer that kills us. 

Here’s how you can help, visit https://pinkisnottheproblem.org and become informed on the problems and the solutions. 

Lastly, I have to say that I am a meticulous, creative dreamer. I love creating and collaborating with individuals as well as businesses and companies. 

Most recently I am working on a documentary film about my journey towards loving my body and I am carefully selecting women from the breast cancer community and those from the fitness/beauty industries to speak about their own journeys. I am sooo excited about this project and would love to connect with local filmmakers, editors, and venues to collaborate with on this exciting project! 

My goal is to do a private screening at the end and the tickets sold for the screening will go straight back to a non-profit that supports Breatsies and body love/acceptance. 

The excitement from those I’ve spoken to about this film has been electric and I can’t wait to share it once we complete it. 

Those who would love to collaborate on this project or seeking a writer, speaker, or advocate, can always feel free to shoot me a DM on my Instagram page @dearcancer_itsme or email me at dearcanceritsme7@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you! 

Thanks again so much for listening to my story and allowing me to give you a small peek into my world. It’s been a joy! 

See you around Columbus! 

Contact Info:

• Email: dearcanceritsme7@gmail.com
• Instagram: dearcancer_itsme

Image Credits
Sprouted Acron Photography
Adrienne Gerber photography
Julie Holder Photography