Raleigh woman pens story of breast cancer 'pre-vivor'

Debbie Horwitz of Raleigh has contributed to that conversation with two books about the emotional and physical challenges that come with the breast reconstruction process.

Horwitz knew her risk of developing breast cancer was high.

"My grandmother died when I was a baby of uterine cancer. She had had breast cancer," she said. "My mom died when I was 9 years old. She was 39. She had breast cancer."

At the age of 32, Horwitz herself discovered a cancerous lump in her breast. 

"I'm so glad we chose to do that book with someone who had not had cancer," Horwitz said. "I think there's just a growing group out there, and they call themselves 'pre-vivors.'"

She said women like Sherri face difficult choices, but have more options than women who have already developed cancer.

"They are choosing this surgery because they want to live, and they don't want to wait for a cancer diagnosis. I think it's very brave of them to make that decision. I didn't have a choice," Horwitz said.

"A healthy woman choosing to have this surgery absolutely has more options," she added. "The biggest thing is they're healthy going into it."