Summer's Spotlight: Breast cancer survivor and nurse shares story to guide others toward prevention

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- As breast cancer awareness month wraps up, one survivor’s message isn't stopping.

After her annual mammogram in 2024, Summer Murdock needed further testing.

"I just turned 40. I had no signs, I had no symptoms, no lumps, no pain," says Murdock. "Late September, I went for my screening mammogram that came back abnormal. Said we'll need to order a diagnostic."

At age 40, after the diagnostic, an ultrasound and biopsy, one year ago on Halloween night, the scariest battle of Murdock's life began.

"I just remember, pulled up those results, and the first thing I'd seen was invasive ductal carcinoma, and my body just went numb. The first thing then popped in my head was, like, my kids can't be without their mom. Who's gonna raise my kids? You just hit that moment. I just felt like this was a death sentence."

Murdock's emotions took over, but after grieving, she was brought back to reality and ready to fight.

"You know, I'm married, I have kids, I have patients, you know, that help advocate for and see and it's just like, I have to, I have to get through this, and I have no choice but to be strong and to get out on the other side of this and to hopefully help somebody else too."

Murdock was diagnosed with stage one cancer, but come Thanksgiving, she learned the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and was now considered stage three. Starting that December, Murdock underwent surgeries, infection, and 16 rounds of chemotherapy. Nothing was easy.

"It was hard. You lost your I lost my hair, I lost my eyebrows, I lost my eyelashes, my you know, immune system was weakened."

But Murdock never took even the hardest moments for granted.

"Like losing their hair, it's just It signifies you. And I was just like, let's do this. I go, this is the least of my worries right now, is losing my hair, my life, having my life, and just getting through each day I go, this hair will grow back, as you can see."

On June 4, 2025, Murdock rang the bell, signifying the end of her chemotherapy.

Murdock's most recent mammogram last week was clear. She’s one of more than four million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society, which says 1 in 8 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. That's a 13% chance.

"At this point, you live almost scan to scan, blood test to blood test. I've changed my diet, my exercise habits, spiritually, just leaning more with God and trying to, you know, help him guide me through all this," says Murdock, who now hopes to be a guide in her own way.

"I tell people all the time, even like patients and that too, like you have to be your own advocate for yourself."

Prevention starts with you at home. It's recommended that women get an annual mammogram starting at 40 years old and start monthly breast checks. If something feels out of ordinary, it's time to call your doctor. As Murdock experienced, one appointment can change your life.

"I'm never going to be that Summer that was before that diagnosis," explains Murdock. "But that's okay. You know, I do feel like I am stronger. I'm per se healthy. I feel healthier. I just feel like I have my head back on my shoulders, and I know, just to keep going."

Researchers are seeing breast cancer appear in women at a younger age. Genetics only play a 5 to 10 percent role in the reason for cancer, especially breast cancer.

Murdock now plans to do more research of her own to be a greater advocate for herself, her patients and women in her life.