Breast cancer is an unfortunately common disease.
The CDC rates cancer as second only to heart disease as a cause of death in women of all races, ethnicities, and ages. Among the many forms of cancer, breast cancer is one of the most common for women. An estimated one in eight US women (about 12%) will develop the disease at some point in their life.
Breast cancer strikes indiscriminately; it doesn't care whether you're rich or poor, famous or not. In recent weeks, many celebrities have opened up about their own battles with the disease, including The Facts of Life star Mindy Cohn, actress Shannen Doherty, and Seinfeld's Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Though it's typically older women who are diagnosed with the disease, young Chrissy Turner made headlines when she was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer at just 8 years old.
Scroll through to read more about Chrissy's bravery and her incredibly inspiring journey.
NOTE: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Learn more at the National Breast Cancer Foundation‘s official website.
Thumbnail Photo: Facebook / Chrissy's Alliance
Chrissy Turner of Centerville, Utah, was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer in November 2015.
She was just 8 years old.
PEOPLE reported that she was believed to be one of the youngest people in the country ever diagnosed with breast cancer.
Both of Chrissy's parents are cancer survivors as well. Troy, a Desert Storm veteran, survived non-Hodgkin's lymphoma when Chrissy was a baby. Mom Annette had once battled cervical cancer.
Annette told ABC4 Utah News that Chrissy had been diagnosed with secretory carcinoma.
"Only 1 in one million are diagnosed and she is the youngest that they've run across having this particular type of breast cancer," Annette explained. "I broke down. It's a struggle every day worrying about my family, about my husband, and now my baby girl."
"It was about the middle of October she came to us with a lump on her chest and was scared," Troy recalled. Chrissy had been putting on her pajamas one night when she showed her mom the bump that was painful to touch.
After running tests, doctors made the diagnosis. Chrissy underwent a full mastectomy of her right breast in December 2015 at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
“She’s doing well after her surgery and we’re hoping to have her back to her normal, happy self soon,” Annette told PEOPLE shortly after Chrissy's surgery.
“It’s been quite overwhelming for her, and for us. Nobody should have to go through breast cancer, especially a little girl. It’s not fair. But Chrissy is coping incredibly well.”
It's now been almost two years since Chrissy's surgery, and the family says she's in remission.
"We’d like people to know that she’s happy and still enjoys bringing beauty to the simple things in life,” Annette told PEOPLE, explaining that she wanted to give an update to Chrissy's story in honor of October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“Chrissy carries a glowing spirit with her wherever she goes and she’s teaching others — especially women diagnosed with breast cancer — to embrace life and focus on the good. If anything, that’s been her most powerful message: ‘You can defeat this and you can keep living.’"
Though her cancer battle was obviously terrifying, Chrissy says she's learned some valuable lessons from her experience.
"This experience has taught me to keep moving forward and never give up. Through my cancer, I learned how important family really is and that we should enjoy every second of this life," she told PEOPLE. "I love spending time with my family and friends and just having fun."
Even in remission, because of the particularly aggressive nature of secretory breast carcinoma, Chrissy will need to have a breast scan every three months for the rest of her life to make sure the cancer doesn't return.
The family expects she will likely have reconstructive surgery when she's 15 or 16.
Even now, almost two years after her cancer battle, Chrissy receives gifts from people around the world wishing her well and supporting her.
There's no doubt that many people have been inspired by the little girl's courage. Chrissy and her family are dedicated to raising awareness of breast cancer and the need for funding research into the disease. She participates in community cancer awareness events and intends to speak at a fundraiser for kids with cancer and other serious illnesses.
"She’s shy, but we tell her that when you’re called to a greater purpose in life, you can’t hide from it," Annette said. "Chrissy now realizes that this is an opportunity to take something horrible that happened to her and turn it around."
Don't forget to SHARE Chrissy's inspiring story on Facebook!
