On graduation day on Saturday, Starr Shamp was one of more than 800 Bellevue University students who filled the Mid-America Center.
Seven years ago, a month before turning 28 in 2018, the Illinois woman received the devastating news that she had stage four breast cancer. Shamp’s first set of treatments coincided with her 28th birthday.
“It was something that just kind of came out of nowhere,” Shamp told First Alert 6. “It was a little bit surreal because I did not know that it was going to happen.”
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Shamp was already working full-time when she decided to make a shift. Her experience had made her aware of the lack of resources available to survivors.
“Especially for people like me, who are stage four, I will always have treatments,” Shamp stated. “So I just felt the need that there needs to be more care for people who are actually living through these diseases.”
Her emphasis on survivors’ issues led her to the counseling program at Bellevue University. She made the decision to enroll and start her master’s degree program in 2021.
While still receiving treatment, she married and became pregnant unexpectedly.
Then, she faced yet another health issue.
“I found like an enlarged lymph node in my throat and we could not do anything at first we were just kind of watching it,” Shamp recounted.
“Eventually, they were like ‘we need to do something,’ so I actually had to deliver six weeks early. Harrison, my son, spent about two weeks in the ICU but he is perfectly healthy and has no issues.”
After taking a term off to recuperate, she quickly resumed her degree studies. Her neighborhood, family, and friends provided her with the encouragement she needed to persevere.
“It felt like I always had a hug,” said Shamp. “No matter what I was going through, there was always somebody there, even if they were not physically present.”
Shamp accepted her diploma along with the other graduates. She received a Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
She took her spot on stage as this year’s student commencement speaker, providing an opportunity for her to tell her story.
She advised, “Never quit, there is always going be something. Things pop up, it’s hard, acknowledge them, you know, do not try to push them back in your brain and ignore them. Feel them, go through them and keep going.”
Every three weeks, the strong mother continues to undergo therapies. As her battle continues, the diploma she is holding is a testament to the amazing journey she has been on.
In the interview, she stated that she is now pursuing her counselor license and will shortly begin working as a certified professional counselor in Illinois.
The National Breast Cancer Foundation reports that women with Stage 4 breast cancer have a 32% 5-year relative survival rate. In other words, 32% of women with Stage 4 breast cancer will still be alive five years after being diagnosed, per this data.
While there is no cure for stage 4 breast cancer, it can usually be treated. More and more women are surviving longer due to current medical technology and research advancements that treat the disease as a chronic condition with an emphasis on quality of life as the main objective, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
With the right care and support, stage 4 breast cancer may respond to a variety of therapy choices, extending life by several years.
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