WPXI's Cara Sapida reveals breast cancer diagnosis

As a reporter for WPXI, Cara Sapida says that one comment she’s heard repeatedly over the years is, “You just never think it could happen to you.”

As a healthy woman in her 30s, she didn’t think she’d be getting a diagnosis of breast cancer, especially after having a negative mammogram in October.

But today on social media, Sapida revealed that she received “a phone call I wouldn’t wish on anyone. My biopsy came back positive for breast cancer — triple negative DCIS with suspicion of micro-invasion. Today I’ll undergo more testing to determine if it’s invasive or non-invasive.”

“A 2-centimeter cancerous tumor grew in my breast in just seven short months,” she told the Tribune-Review. “I advocated for myself to get a mammogram last year and my insurance company covered it as a ‘preventative measure,’ even though I’m not 40.”

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Like many of you, I experienced this pandemic while going through some hardships, in my personal life as well as with my health. I was reaching overhead last Thursday morning, when I found a lump on my breast. My first thought was my children. I have a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old who need their mommy. And my children continued to be my main thought through the ultrasound, mammogram, biopsy, second mammogram and as I waited by the phone. It’s a phone call I wouldn’t wish on anyone. My biopsy came back positive for breast cancer— triple negative DCIS with suspicion of micro-invasion. Today I’ll undergo more testing to determine if it’s invasive or non-invasive. Even though I’m in my 30’s, I did have a mammogram done in October and there wasn’t anything there at the time. In 7 months a cancerous tumor that is 2 centimeters formed. I wish I could have told more people personally. I’ve learned sharing my story to loved ones is painful. It’s emotionally draining. I want to protect them from this news and for days couldn’t get through the details without breaking down. But, for now, I’m all cried out and honestly feeling strong. While my children don’t know about the breast cancer, they do know to be careful because of my biopsy bruise. When we said prayers to God the other night, my son prayed for his elves to “heal mommies boo-boo on her booby before the morning.” I’m praying one of these mornings soon enough I will be healed. And that by sharing this story and my journey maybe I’ll reach a woman who needs to hear it. Maybe you’re doing a self check right now, or picking up the phone to schedule a mammogram in your 30’s. Maybe you’re in the midst of a breast cancer journey right now and can relate. Let’s be strong together. Or maybe you’re reading this and it’s a reminder to treat one another gently. You never know the pain someone is living through— and how far it can go to offer some kindness or a bit of grace. I read somewhere that cancer may have started the fight, but I will finish it. And I am here to fight. All prayers and positive energy greatly appreciated. ?

A post shared by Cara Sapida (@carasapida) on Jun 30, 2020 at 4:11am PDT

Sapida says she found the lump while stretching out after a kickboxing session, a hobby she’s taken up as a stress-reliever during the covid-19 pandemic.

“My hope is, by sharing my story, it will reach women who wouldn’t think to do a self-check right now, but may need to,” she says. “Already today women have messaged me with their survival stories, their bravery and kind words — and some saying they picked up the phone and scheduled a mammogram.”

She’s also receiving support from “another Pittsburgh journalist who very publicly battled and beat breast cancer.”

A Pittsburgh native and graduate of Woodland Hills High School, Sapida joined WPXI in 2009 and is seen on the 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts. She previously worked as a television news reporter in Athens, Ohio; Fort Myers, Fla.; and Hagerstown, Md.

Away from work, her hobbies include baking. She was a finalist in the 2010 Pillsbury Bake-Off.