Breast Cancer Battles

In 2002, Oprah met Charnette, a 32-year-old mother who battled an aggressive form of breast cancer. When Charnette found a lump under her arm, she knew in her gut something was wrong. Although her doctors told her not to worry, she demanded a mammogram.

Charnette shared her story with Oprah in hopes that her powerful message would help other young women. "I want every single woman watching this show right now—every single physician, every single person in charge of who gets screening and who does not—to know that breast cancer is a life-threatening disease for all women, not just women over the age of 40," she said. "Do not wait. Do not just take that smile and say: 'Okay, you're right. I'm fine.'"