As we close out Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we sat down with two Tampa Bay women at opposite ends of their cancer journeys, both sharing their stories of hope, strength, and community to inspire others facing similar battles.

Katie Kochanski was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancerstage fourthis past May. The diagnosis came as a complete shock.

"A shock is the best way to describe it, like, literally, life-altering," Kochanski told Tampa Bay 28 reporter Michael Paluska.

The diagnosis was shocking because Kochanski had no family history of cancer and tested negative for dozens of cancer gene mutations.

"I have zero family history of any kind of cancer. I did the genetic testing. I tested negative for all 85 cancer gene mutations," Kochanski said.

The diagnosis isn't slowing Kocha

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