Jeanna DuBois, RCSJ–Cumberland's assistant athletic director, Survives Battle with Cancer

Vineland – “It’s not just me who’s affected by it, but it affects everyone else who’s around you and loves you.” This quote is from Rowan College of South Jersey–Cumberland Dukes' (RCSJ) Assistant Athletic Director, Jeanna DuBois. DuBois is a breast cancer survivor.

We are nearing the end of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which has been taking place every October since 1985. During this month, there were multiple programs across the globe that focused “on promoting early detection, reducing stigma around breast cancer, and supporting patients and survivors,” according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

Statistics show that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetimes. DuBois, a Woodstown resident, is one of those women.

“Two years ago, when I was 37, I went in for a mammogram after I’d found a lump in my armpit. The medical term for the armpit is the axilla. I found out I had cancer through My Chart,” she revealed. “There it said, just plain and simple, ‘invasive lobular carcinoma.’”

Invasive lobular carcinoma, according to mayoclinic.org, “causes a growth of cells in the milk-producing glands of the breast. These glands are called lobules.”

This type of cancer “means the cancer cells have broken out of the lobule where they formed and have grown into the surrounding breast tissue. The cells can spread to the lymph nodes and other areas of the body.”

DuBois was beyond shocked when she discovered she was diagnosed with the disease.

“Your whole life just flashes in front of you, in a sense,” she said. “I have two kids. My son was 16 and my daughter was 12 years old at the time. Would I be able to see them graduate high school? Would I be able to see them graduate college, get married, have kids?

“I didn’t know what I was exactly up against.”

DuBois, who earned a master’s degree in business administration from Wilmington University, and her husband Josh did everything they could to understand what was going on. She mentioned the importance of being a self-advocate.

DuBois said she spent countless hours doing research online to discover different kinds of testing that could help her overcome this nondiscriminating disease. She also sought advice from many medical experts.

“I have an amazing team at Penn Medicine between breast surgeons, plastic surgeons, and oncologists,” she said.

DuBois got genetic testing and learned, thankfully, that she doesn’t carry any breast cancer genes. More testing revealed what kind of cancer she did have. “My cancer is hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative. The hormones feed the cancer,” she said.

According to clevelandclinic.org, HR-positive and HER2-negative “[A]ccounts for 70% of all breast cancers.”

After numerous consultations with her family and medical care team, DuBois decided to get a double mastectomy.

“It was a six-hour surgery. My recovery time was four-to-six weeks. After they amputated my breasts, they put in tissue expanders. Beginning in the middle of January 2025, I started to have my expanders filled … once a week,” the Kingsway High School grad disclosed.

DuBois discussed some of the travails she went through during the process.

“Right at the beginning, you’re in and out of doctors’ offices every day. So, from my diagnosis in October to my mastectomy in December, there were tests, scans, biopsies, repeat biopsies. Meeting new surgeons after having the mastectomy. Meeting my plastic surgeon talking about the pros and cons of whether to have an implant or not. Then, meeting new oncology surgeons after having the mastectomy,” she shared.

“It was a lot of information,” the assistant athletic director continued. “They gave you options, and you had to become the expert. There were times when it was like, wait, I’m not a doctor. I don’t know if I should just have a lumpectomy or a double mastectomy, because they don’t know either.”

Currently, the RCSJ–Gloucester Class of 2007 graduate is on a “five-to-10-year immunotherapy process.”

“So, I take a pill and a shot every month to suppress my hormones to try to keep the cancer from coming back,” she explained. “Essentially, I'm in early-stage menopause.”

During the trials and tribulations of her breast cancer journey, DuBois’ support system helped her maintain her sanity.

“My husband Josh [an army veteran] is truly incredible. We just celebrated 15 years of marriage. He stepped right up to the plate,” the former softball player said. “There were a lot of times I just couldn’t talk. I just didn’t have the words. He has literally been at every appointment with me.”

“Not only my husband,” she added, “but my parents live right around the corner. My parents were taking care of the kids.”

When asked about how her children handled the situation, DuBois became a little verklempt.

“There was anger and questions about ‘why is this happening?’ They were hurt, scared, emotional,” she said. “But I’ll tell you what, they are my biggest cheerleaders. My daughter’s out there now on social media and posting all about breast cancer and how strong her mom is – which is wonderful.

“But their lives have been affected by this too. That's the downside to this. It’s not just me who’s affected by it, but it affects everyone else who’s around you and loves you. You take innocent kids and their lives are completely changed by two words: breast cancer.”

The way DuBois has handled herself during this literal life-or-death situation has inspired many, including RCSJ–Cumberland student-athletes.

Last spring, after defeating the RCSJ–Gloucester Roadrunners in a Play4Kay baseball game, the Dukes players presented DuBois with a game ball that included all their signatures. “Really just in awe,” she said, when asked about her initial reaction during the moment.

“They were such a great group of gentlemen. Their kind gesture took me completely by surprise. My family was in attendance, which was great. What a sweet moment. I mean, it literally left me speechless. I was like ‘I have nothing to say, or you’re going to hear me cry.’”

“But you know, looking back, if I could have said something,” she added, “it would just be to advocate for yourself, whether it’s in a classroom, in a doctor’s office, just advocate for yourself. If you feel strongly about something, it’s okay to advocate.”

DuBois, who has participated in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, is also thankful for her colleagues here at the College.

“Everyone I work with in the office is understanding and supportive of me when I have to take time off for doctor’s appointments as well as filling in for any limitations I have physically like the loss of range of motion in my arms. In fact, JD [Jonathan DiJamco, RCSJ–Cumberland athletic director] always says, "whatever you need, we got you."

“Just to face the challenges cancer presents requires immense courage,” DiJamco said. “To be so open and public with her journey elevates her courage to a different stratosphere. Has she handled her journey with courage? If there's a stronger word than courage, that would be it.”

According to the American Cancer Society, women should begin mammogram testing at age 40. DuBois, who was diagnosed with cancer when she was 37, has a message for all women.

“If we have learned anything, in the last few years, it’s that women breast cancer patients are getting younger and younger than they ever were,” she said. “So, the baseline of being 40 years old to get your first mammogram needs to change. Getting checked can be scary, especially when you’re afraid of what you might hear.

“But please don’t let that fear keep you from taking care of yourself. Early detection can make all the difference. I get scans all the time now, and that’s why I advocate for them. I want to know for my peace of mind.”

For information about Rowan College of South Jersey, visit RCSJ.edu. For information about cancer screening services in New Jersey, visit NJ.Gov.