Breast cancer survivor shares her story to help others
Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2026 4:40 pm
Problem-solving has always been a passion for Lema Mikulski, a math, science, and social studies teacher at Discovery Middle School in Canton. In March 2016, she found herself using those skills in a deeply personal and unexpected way. After leaving the gym one day, she noticed a pulling sensation under her right arm. When the discomfort didn’t disappear after a week, the mother of two decided to visit her primary care doctor.
During the examination, her doctor checked both her breast and arm but could not feel anything unusual. She was advised to monitor the area and follow up during her next scheduled mammogram in August. When the mammogram finally took place, it detected something suspicious but inconclusive. Further testing followed, including a manual exam, a 3D mammogram, an ultrasound, and ultimately a biopsy. The day after the biopsy, she received the life-changing call confirming she had breast cancer. The diagnosis came on August 31, nearly five months after she first noticed symptoms.
The news was devastating. Initially, she was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer and scheduled for a lumpectomy two months later. However, trusting her analytical mindset as a science teacher, she sought additional medical opinions. Her final consultation was with Dr. Jessica Benson Haver, director of the Breast Oncology Program at the Henry Ford Cancer Institute. Although the cancer appeared early stage, doctors recognized several concerning factors: the tumor was aggressive, she was relatively young, and she had a strong family history of cancer on her father’s side.
These factors raised suspicion that she might carry a BRCA gene mutation, which significantly increases breast cancer risk. Even before genetic test results were confirmed, her medical team recommended a double mastectomy. The recommendation felt right to her, bringing a sense of clarity and peace. Within three days, she underwent the surgery, followed by four months of chemotherapy, surgery to remove her ovaries, and later reconstructive procedures.
During treatment, genetic testing confirmed she carried the BRCA1 mutation. Reflecting on her journey, she encourages others not to hesitate when seeking additional medical opinions. She believes patients should continue searching until they find answers and treatment plans that make sense both medically and personally.
Her experience reinforced the importance of self-advocacy and listening closely to one’s body. By trusting her instincts and pursuing further evaluation, she was able to detect and treat cancer early, a message she now hopes will empower others to do the same.
During the examination, her doctor checked both her breast and arm but could not feel anything unusual. She was advised to monitor the area and follow up during her next scheduled mammogram in August. When the mammogram finally took place, it detected something suspicious but inconclusive. Further testing followed, including a manual exam, a 3D mammogram, an ultrasound, and ultimately a biopsy. The day after the biopsy, she received the life-changing call confirming she had breast cancer. The diagnosis came on August 31, nearly five months after she first noticed symptoms.
The news was devastating. Initially, she was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer and scheduled for a lumpectomy two months later. However, trusting her analytical mindset as a science teacher, she sought additional medical opinions. Her final consultation was with Dr. Jessica Benson Haver, director of the Breast Oncology Program at the Henry Ford Cancer Institute. Although the cancer appeared early stage, doctors recognized several concerning factors: the tumor was aggressive, she was relatively young, and she had a strong family history of cancer on her father’s side.
These factors raised suspicion that she might carry a BRCA gene mutation, which significantly increases breast cancer risk. Even before genetic test results were confirmed, her medical team recommended a double mastectomy. The recommendation felt right to her, bringing a sense of clarity and peace. Within three days, she underwent the surgery, followed by four months of chemotherapy, surgery to remove her ovaries, and later reconstructive procedures.
During treatment, genetic testing confirmed she carried the BRCA1 mutation. Reflecting on her journey, she encourages others not to hesitate when seeking additional medical opinions. She believes patients should continue searching until they find answers and treatment plans that make sense both medically and personally.
Her experience reinforced the importance of self-advocacy and listening closely to one’s body. By trusting her instincts and pursuing further evaluation, she was able to detect and treat cancer early, a message she now hopes will empower others to do the same.