LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. — A Lee's Summit woman and her husband discovered new strength and unity in their fight against breast cancer.
Jovan Franklin was diagnosed last January with breast cancer, she was only 32 years old when she felt the lump in her breast. She was shocked because she does not fit the typical profile.
"They say breast cancer doesn't hurt or it doesn't grow rapidly. My tumor was 8 cm and it grew pretty rapidly and it hurt," said Jovan.
Jovan was Mrs. Kansas 2017 and a bodybuilder. She has been married for seven years and had two children, Remy and Brooke. Jovan was also a healthy eater. Because of her age, Jovan was shocked when doctors told her she had breast cancer.
"I cried and a scream came out of me," she said.
The tears quickly turned to fighting the disease that interrupted her life.
"It (breast cancer) does not discriminate against age. It does not discriminate against race. It doesn't matter if you are in shape or not. It can happen. It is real," Jovan said.
Her husband, Remy was equally devastated. In an interview with Cynthia's husband, Ed, Remy Franklin said he was stunned.
"My first reaction was feeling sorry it's nothing I can do. I was feeling helpless," said Remy Franklin.
Jovan had her final chemotherapy treatment and is now getting radiation treatments. She said that her husband was her rock. He took care of her and worked to keep paying the bills. She also credits her family and friends for their prayers and support.
Remy said that he's focused now on the future and making sure his wife achieves her goals. Jovan is planning to resume body-building and wants women to know that they should do monthly self-exams, even if they're in their 20s. And if those women feel something strange, they should get checked right away.
Jovan also finds support from the Young Survival Coalition (YSC). According to the YSC, 250,000 women in the United States were diagnosed with breast cancer prior to age 40.
