Community Corner

Plymouth Woman's Life Returning to Normal After Breast Cancer Treatment

Survivor Jennifer Arapoff, whose husband is a coach with the Detroit Lions, credits the NFL for helping to spread awareness of breast cancer.

When Jennifer Arapoff discovered a lump on her breast while on a family vacation for her 39th birthday three years ago, she said her life quickly changed from normal into that of a patient.

“We knew something was wrong,” she said. “So we came home and went through a whole series of tests.”

Arapoff learned she had an aggressive form of breast cancer. She had no existing risk factors, she said, and no family history.

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She called the lump, which had been fairly obvious, a “blessing,” because sometimes evidence of breast cancer is more difficult to detect.

Arapoff underwent three surgeries, including a mastectomy, radiation and five months of chemotherapy to combat the cancer, she said.

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During that time, Arapoff said she tried to maintain her usual lifestyle, and she credits her Plymouth neighbors for being her support team during her treatment.

Arapoff, whose husband, Jason, works as the Detroit Lions' strength and conditioning coach, moved to Plymouth a decade ago from the Washington, DC, area and quickly fell in love with Plymouth and its people.

“Jason’s job is extremely time-consuming,” she said. “Being from the East Coast, my family became the community in Plymouth.”

She said that in 2009, the National Football League reached out to her to participate in its A Crucial Catch program, the breast cancer awareness campaign promoted by NFL.

Arapoff credited the Detroit Lions and the NFL for using its publicity to spread the word about awareness and getting women involved in the game and its efforts, especially when the teams wear pink accessories in October to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“It’s awesome; every game you see throughout the month, there’s pink on the coaches, the sidelines and players — even in the stands,” she said. “It makes me very proud to be associated with the Lions and NFL.”

When she goes to Ford Field to watch her husband’s team during the awareness month, Arapoff said she is taken aback by the scene. “In particular, just to be at Ford Field and see what a great job they do with all the Lions personnel, just a sea of pink,” she said.

After about two years of treatment, Arapoff, who now is 42, said her life has returned to normal, save for regularly scheduled tests to ensure the cancer hasn't returned. She said she actually is excited to go to the doctor to be given a clean bill of health with each checkup.

“I’m healthy and happy,” she said.

In five years, Arapoff said, she’ll be considered cancer-free and risk-free.

She said she makes time to cheer on walkers in downtown Plymouth for the Susan G. Komen 3-day for the Cure walk each year, and she is happy to help spread the word about early detection.

“You can never have too much awareness,” she said. “The good news is that it’s a 98 percent recovery rate if treated early.”


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