Fighting back against breast cancer – and becoming your own CEO

In 2012, then 40 years old and a mother of two young children, Flora Migyanka of Plymouth, Mich., went for her first mammogram.

"After it was done, they wanted me to go back for more images – ultrasound and biopsies," Flora recalls. "I really thought nothing of it. I was healthy, ate well, did yoga and was not a smoker. I just recalled thinking that scheduling these appointments was kind of annoying."

On April 21 of that year, she was en route to the bus stop to pick up her 5-year-old daughter from Kindergarten while her 3-year-old son was napping. Her phone rang. The voice on the other end informed her that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

"It was an incredible shock," she says. "It literally took my breath away."

Although understandably reeling from the news, Flora had worked for 25 years with biotech companies in the pharmaceutical field and had some understanding of working with physicians and researchers. Instead of being reactive, she immediately decided to be proactive.

"I had to, in a sense, become CEO of my own self," she says. "Knowing that the healthcare system is – at least in my personal opinion – broken, I knew I had to advocate for myself and ask a lot of questions and find a team of physicians that would work with me on whatever decision I made. I sought second opinions and did everything I could to make sure I was armed with the best information and options I could get after receiving this diagnosis."

Of course, she also had to balance this newfound executive course of action (and the multiple doctor visits per day it entailed) with being a mother and maintaining a brave face for her family.

"There are levels of exhaustion you can't even imagine," she says.

Flora decided to work with a team at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor – including ASPS member Edwin Wilkins, MD, to help her through her breast reconstruction journey.

"It made me appreciate how plastic surgery truly is an art," she notes. "Dr. Wilkins was truly an artist and a perfectionist. Working with the University of Michigan team taught me so much, and even though I was so scared about my outcome, I put my trust in them and it truly paid off. I was lucky enough to be a candidate for a single-stage reconstruction after my bilateral mastectomy."

However, the road to recovery was not without its obstacles. In addition to exhaustion, she had complications from her surgery (lymphedema) and underwent occupational and physical therapy for two years.

"To this day, I still struggle a bit with my shoulder and my back," she says. "It is often a silent reminder of the past. I have thoracic outlet syndrome and weakness in my arm and shoulder from the surgery. One of the things that I don't feel was made clear to me was the numbness and lack of feeling that you would have in your chest – or how cold it feels because there is no blood flow. Obviously, I don't regret the decisions I made, but I do feel very strongly that women should do what's best for their bodies and be able to make those choices. I think sometimes insurance dictates what your options are and they don't take into account anxiety disorders or other factors that might come up post-surgery."

Awareness and advocacy

The recovery period not only put her in contact with other breast cancer survivors, but sparked her own journey to provide an expansive network to survivors and continue to push not only for more research – but for more women to find the strength to become their own advocates. More than 40,000 women per year are diagnosed with invasive lobular breast cancer, but less than 1 percent of research funding is directed toward it.

In 2016, Flora organized "Uncork for a Cure" in partnership with the University of Michigan, a fundraiser to spread awareness about the impacts of breast cancer and to find a cure. Three years later, she founded the Dynami Foundation ("dynami" is the Greek word for "strength") a 501(c)(3) to further research, treatment and prevention of breast cancer. The organization was recently selected by the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business to develop strategic planning for increased funding in support of invasive lobular breast cancer. She also launched the Leigh Pate Memorial Lectureship series amongst global thought leaders in the space at the 2023 International Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer Symposium and partnered with local artists and Neiman Marcus to build awareness in Detroit through the Paragon Art Collective exhibition.

For Flora, the goal is not just support but empowerment.

"The average person doesn't ask questions – maybe because they're afraid or maybe because they just don't know," she continues. "I really try to impress upon the women I speak with the importance of using their voice and asking a lot of questions."

To date, the Dynami Foundation and the Uncork for a Cure programs have yielded $3 million in funds for continued research and supporting women in need in Michigan through the Jennie Bicknell Memorial Fund. Flora remains a member of the national Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance, she was the recipient of the 2021 Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center Institute Heroes for Cancer Community Service Award and says her work on this front is far from finished.

"My healing journey of starting this organization has grown into something I never planned," she says. "All I wanted to do was help people and focus on the lack of research for lobular breast cancer. This has become something so much more – it's about not being afraid, having the courage to step outside of yourself and connect with other individuals. So many women in the country don't have the option of even knowing they can do that. Being able to connect with women and make them feel empowered and that they're not alone is so healing for me."

For more information on how to support the Dynami Foundation, visit dynamifoundation.org.

To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.