Since 1988, Wendy Chioji has been a reporter and anchorwoman for WESH 2 News in Orlando, Florida. She has covered news ranging from the pope's visit to Cuba in 1998 to the Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City in 2002. She continuously covered last year's hurricanes, and she has an Emmy award under her belt for a special news report on heroin use.

Wendy is a top notch athlete. She has run five marathons and competed in several triathlons and half-ironman races. She has ridden in parts of several stages of the Tour de France, and traveled across the country with Lance Armstrong in 2003 -- covering 550 miles -- with the Tour of Hope event to raise awareness for cancer research. Wendy has also made a tour with stage II breast cancer. Since 2001, she has been surviving this disease.

When were you diagnosed with breast cancer?

In April of 2001

How old were you at the time of diagnosis?

39

Do you have a family history of breast cancer?

My maternal grandmother had breast cancer in the 60s, before there was chemotherapy. She had horrible, disfiguring surgery, and the cancer came back a few years later and killed her.

How did you find out you had breast cancer?

I noticed a lump in my breast and mentioned it to my doctor.

How did you tell your family members about your diagnosis?

I am not one to sugarcoat things. I got all the information I could get on the type of cancer and the treatment I'd have, then I called to tell them.

What types of breast cancer treatment did you receive?

I had a modified radical mastectomy with reconstruction, followed by two rounds of chemotherapy -- that took 8-months. First, there was Adriamycin and Cytoxan. Then, I was on a clinical trial for Taxotere. I have been taking Tamoxifen for 5 years now.

How did you manage through breast cancer treatment?

I can't say it was easy, but it was manageable. You just have to reduce the number of things you do every day, be realistic about going to work, working out, seeing friends. I worked through the whole treatment, except for when I was too sick.

What has been your worst breast cancer moment?

My worst moment didn't even have to do with me. One of my good friends who was just at the five-year clear mark was re-diagnosed with cancer, right before her wedding. I think that was the first time I realized how vulnerable I was (she's fine -- and got married bald!).

What has been your best breast cancer moment?

Finishing chemo was big. The nurses gave me a graduation certificate. And hitting the 5-year mark was special, too.

How do handle anxiety and worry related to breast cancer?

I didn't have much anxiety or worry. I focused on having all the information I could find. I believe fear comes from lack of knowledge, and the last thing I am is fear-based.

How has breast cancer changed your life?

My life is much better. My outlook is more positive, more focused on the big things. A crisis really forces you to realize what's important and what's not. I have also gotten the biggest opportunities because out of being a survivor (riding across country in the 2003 Tour of Hope with Lance Armstrong, being involved with the Lance Armstrong Foundation, etc.).

Are you involved in any breast cancer support groups? Fundraisers? Organizations?

I am a major fundraiser for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and for the Tour of Hope. I also do a lot of speaking about survivorship and cancer issues.

What advice would you give someone newly diagnosed?

Get all the information you can. Be your own advocate in health care. You have to be aggressive about options, education, everything. And take things one at a time, so it's not so overwhelming.

What advice would you give family members and friends of someone diagnosed with breast cancer?

Offer specific help, not just "call me if you need anything." They won't call. Say "I'll bring your family dinner every Tuesday for a month" or "I'll drive you to your chemo appointment." And don't NOT talk about it. Ask questions, talk about it, use it as a learning experience for you too.

Name any breast cancer related books or other resources you would recommend.

Rosie O'Donnell's book on breast cancer is the best I've read.