Natascha Vega: I Survived Cancer and Here Is How I Did It
An Interview With Savio P. Clemente
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Breast cancer does not equal death. Most of the awkward faces and reactions come from a projected fear of others that if it happened to you, it could very well happen to them. Your body and your will are tougher than any diagnosis or statistic that you may fall into.
Cancer is a horrible and terrifying disease. Yet millions of people have beaten the odds and beat cancer. Authority Magazine started a new series called “I Survived Cancer and Here Is How I Did It”. In this interview series, we are talking to cancer survivors to share their stories, in order to offer hope and provide strength to people who are being impacted by cancer today. As a part of this interview series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Natascha Vega, a Latina, stage 2 breast cancer survivor who has found a larger calling to help other women who will be walking a similar path/diagnosis.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! We really appreciate the courage it takes to publicly share your story. Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your background and your childhood backstory?
My name is Natascha Vega, I am currently 38 years old. I was born in Caracas, Venezuela and come from an amazing Colombian family. I am a proud immigrant who came to the US in my early teens and had to quickly adjust to the fast-paced life of New York City. A total daddy’s girl, a relationship that instilled the art and importance of resilience, consistency, and kindness above all and what has helped me become the woman I am today. I am an advertising veteran with 15+ years of experience, solving business problems and evolving my expertise based on consumer needs and desires.
On September 11, 2020, in the midst of an already chaotic date and year, I was diagnosed with triple positive stage 2 breast cancer. I have undergone six rounds of chemotherapy, 15 rounds of radiation, a failed attempt at conserving my hair through the cold cap treatment, a lumpectomy, and 12 months of immunotherapy. I will be in hormonal therapy for the next 5–10 years and happy to be alive to tell my story and help others.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
When I was diagnosed, I kept playing in my head “no me limites” (don’t limit me) words that ended up getting me through my lowest and darkest moments during my treatment. Words now tattooed on my right arm to remind me that the body can do hard things.
Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion about surviving cancer. Do you feel comfortable sharing with us the story surrounding how you found out that you had cancer?
An (unplanned) self-exam saved my life. It took me adjusting my dress at a summer party to notice a large lump on my right breast. After a visit to my gyno and reassurance that I was “too young” to get cancer, I ended up getting a mammogram (just in case) which was quickly followed by several tests and scans that detected my stage 2 breast cancer. I was in chemo treatment less than a month after that.
What was the scariest part of that event? What did you think was the worst thing that could happen to you?
Getting the call from my doctor on September 11, 2020, was by far the scariest moment of my cancer journey and in my life altogether. I feel like at that moment, I was face to face with the reality of death. As someone who is known for planning everything in her life, surrendering to the unknown ahead was a true, out of body experience.
How did you react in the short term?
Being in advertising, I have been taught to always be ready to stay calm and take action in moments of crisis. Breast cancer was no different. In less than a week from the news, I had a medical dream team ready to fight with me. Sitting around and being still would mean me being in my brain and swirling in the midst of the what ifs. I knew that the only way I could combat this was to keep walking, one step at a time and not look back.
After the dust settled, what coping mechanisms did you use? What did you do to cope physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually?
I am an avid runner and lover of health. I had heard time and time again that my immune system would begin to suffer as the treatments progressed and in looking back, that was all true. Regardless, I made it a point to keep my runs through Central Park (while much more scaled down of course). It not only felt good for the body, but it also reminded me that my core was still there deep inside. I just needed extra courage to keep me and my will alive to pull through.
Is there a particular person you are grateful towards who helped you learn to cope and heal? Can you share a story about that?
When I was diagnosed, I spent many nights looking for influencers, young breast cancer survivors with similar stories that I could relate to. I remember one specific documentary I watched, and the funny thing is that I don’t really remember the name of the amazing warrior who was brave to share her story but I do remember the name of her main support system- her name was Sabrina and I thought to myself, I have a network of support that only a few are lucky to have and a dear friend named Patricia Buhr (Patti Cakes) who will be my forever Sabrina.
In my own cancer struggle, I sometimes used the idea of embodiment to help me cope. Let’s take a minute to look at cancer from an embodiment perspective. If your cancer had a message for you, what do you think it would want or say?
Enjoy the present, lead with kindness- even in its most difficult moments as those would be the most important to cherish. Focus on the smaller acts of kindness as those will be the ones to come back and show up when you need it the most.
What did you learn about yourself from this very difficult experience? How has cancer shaped your worldview? What has it taught you that you might never have considered before? Can you please explain with a story or example?
It has really simplified what truly matters in life. Health, family, and friendships truly come above all. I value every morning; I am now grateful to wake up and see my excited pup Luca waiting anxiously to greet me and fill me with love and affection. Life is truly that simple, if it doesn’t bring you value, joy, or growth it has no place in your life.
How have you used your experience to bring goodness to the world?
I am lucky to have met a strong network of women, a sisterhood of warriors that have or are currently battling breast cancer and have empowered me to tell and spread my story. I have much to thank For the Breast of Us for helping me find my voice and make my impact tangible to others. In fact, this is my first year being active in the breast cancer community and excited to be part of the planning committee for We Run This Gala, on October 15th in Houston Texas. Open to the public — survivors, thrivers, previvors and allies. Tickets are still available if anyone reading this is interested https://breastofus.com/run/
What are a few of the biggest misconceptions and myths out there about fighting cancer that you would like to dispel?
Breast cancer does not equal death. Most of the awkward faces and reactions come from a projected fear of others that if it happened to you, it could very well happen to them. Your body and your will are tougher than any diagnosis or statistic that you may fall into.
Fantastic. Here is the main question of our interview. Based on your experiences and knowledge, what advice would you give to others who have recently been diagnosed with cancer? What are your “5 Things You Need To Beat Cancer? Please share a story or example for each. Please reference video attached.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the greatest amount of people, what would that be?
Helping Latinas in the US who are Spanish speaking dominant, with more in-language outlets and materials so that they know they aren’t alone and that there are resources to help them no matter their situation. There are unfortunately many Latinas who will be diagnosed in a late phase of breast cancer simply out of lack of information and resources.
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them. :-)
Being Latina, Adamari Lopez, Puerto Rican actress and breast cancer activist was the first person I thought of when I was diagnosed. Seeing and reading her journey before AND after breast cancer has been one of the inspiring stories that helped me get through my journey and help others in a similar path.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
IG — Gitana0930
Blog: nomelimites.net
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
About The Interviewer: Savio P. Clemente coaches cancer survivors to overcome the confusion and gain the clarity needed to get busy living in mind, body, and spirit. He inspires health and wellness seekers to find meaning in the “why” and cultivate resilience in their mindset. Savio is a Board Certified Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC, ACC), #1 best-selling author, syndicated columnist, podcaster, stage 3 cancer survivor, and founder of The Human Resolve LLC. He has interviewed notable celebrities and TV personalities and has been featured on Fox News, The Wrap, and has worked with Authority Magazine, Thrive Global, BuzzFeed, Food Network, WW and Bloomberg. Savio has been invited to cover numerous industry events throughout the U.S. and abroad. His mission is to provide clients, listeners, and viewers alike with tangible takeaways on how to lead a truly healthy, wealthy, and wise lifestyle. Savio pens a weekly newsletter in which he delves into secrets to living smarter by feeding your “three brains” — head
