Aug. 9. Phaedra Pistone, the owner of Classic Bride & Formals on Catawba Avenue, is the new Mrs. US Continental 2021. A two-time breast cancer survivor, she says she will advocate for breast cancer awareness and continue her mission to empower, encourage and educate people about the importance of early detection.

“Ladies, get your mammogram. It could save your life, too,” said, who was Mrs. North Carolina 2019.

The US Continental Pageant was developed to recognize the modern woman of the 21st century. The US Continental State and National Pageants give families, friends and their community an opportunity to celebrate the success and accomplishment of outstanding women.

A message

Pistone said her recognition in the pageant world and her volunteer work provide a platform for her message.

“It gives me the courage and strength to have a platform to share this message and have people hear it, understand and, hopefully, provide hope to them if they’re going through something like this,” Pistone said. “I try to turn that pain into a purpose.”

According to Novant Health, 1 of every 8 women in America will develop breast cancer. More than 250,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed in 2019, and more than 40,000 women nationwide died from breast cancer.

Pistone, who had no family history of breast cancer, was diagnosed in November 2016. Her first surgery – a lumpectomy, where a portion of the breast is removed – was two months later.

Treatment

A little more than two years later, the cancer had returned. Pistone had a bilateral mastectomy, the surgical removal of both breasts, by Dr. Peter Turk at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte.

DR. TURK

Brave decision

“She’d had cancer once already,” Turk said. “The surgery was a very brave decision for her, but an appropriate decision.”

“I love Dr. Turk,” Pistone said. “He was amazing. He explained everything very well, so I felt comfortable, especially with having a second surgery. It was definitely a bigger shock and a little more confusing, a bigger decision because bilateral mastectomy was not an easy process.”

Pistone’s treatment did not include radiation or chemotherapy. After the mastectomy, she couldn’t exercise for about eight weeks. That was a bit difficult because she’s an active runner.

Pistone couldn’t move around very much, so she set up a room in her house that included several windows to “at least pretend I was outside.”

She gradually regained strength and returned to work as owner of Classic Bride & Formals here in Cornelius.

Giving back

She found support groups that are a huge help, and serves the community with her efforts with the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Shirley’s Angels, American Cancer Society, Make-A-Wish and Charlotte Radiology.

“It’s just eye opening that you’re in pageants and you’re using that platform to share when you’re so judged on everything and not letting cancer hinder that because of what it’s taken from you,” Pistone said.

—Novant Health/HealthyHeadlines contributed to this story