ALPENA — Mariah Seguin was 33 when she found a lump while putting on tanning lotion before a trip to Mexico. Now recovering from breast cancer treatment, the Alpena resident and social worker will serve as honorary chair of the 2026 Zonta Walks for Women and speak at the breast cancer awareness event tomorrow at the Great Lakes Heritage Center.
The annual walk honors people who have had breast cancer and promotes awareness of early detection. Registration is scheduled from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., followed by opening remarks and the walk at 9:30 a.m.
Seguin said her cancer experience has changed how she views gratitude, grief and the future. She plans to use the event to honor her own journey and others affected by breast cancer.
A lump led to testing and a diagnosis
Seguin said she noticed the lump while applying tanning lotion and contacted her doctor rather than assuming it was harmless. Her provider sent her for imaging, including an ultrasound. She said technicians repeatedly returned for additional images, which made her suspect something was wrong.
“My cancer journey started as an accident,” Seguin said.
At the time, Seguin said she was 33 and had not yet begun routine mammograms, which she described as starting at age 40. While she waited for the imaging results, she experienced what she called a “once in a lifetime ice storm” and traveled to Mexico with a friend. After returning, she underwent a biopsy and learned soon afterward that she had breast cancer.
A breast health navigator called Seguin to discuss the next steps. Seguin said she informed her husband by text message because there was little time to process the diagnosis before treatment planning began.
“I told my husband via text message, ‘I have breast cancer...’” Seguin said.
Before treatment, Seguin underwent genetic testing and learned she carries a BRCA1 gene mutation. The source describes BRCA1 as an inherited mutation that can stop the gene from repairing DNA and increase the lifetime risk for certain cancers. For Seguin, the result helped shape decisions about her treatment.
Treatment, recovery and finding support
Seguin underwent chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. She said chemotherapy brought its own side effects and that she often felt out of place at the cancer center because she was the only person in her 30s in the chemotherapy room.
“I was the only person in the chemo room in their 30s,” Seguin said.
She connected with other young women in Michigan who had developed breast cancer, although she said there are limited local opportunities for younger adults facing cancer to meet peers with similar experiences.
“I love that we have Friends Together here, but unfortunately, right now, they don’t have a group for younger adults,” Seguin said.
Seguin said she has contacted Friends Together and hopes a group for younger adults eventually develops. She also said younger adults may not hear much about breast cancer or other cancers affecting people their age.
Seguin is now in recovery, but said 1% of the tumor cells remain. She will continue taking medication for a year to reduce the chance of recurrence.
“Something with this experience”
Seguin said the diagnosis forced her to grieve the body she had before cancer while learning to accept the body she has now. She described herself as previously comfortable with her body, physically active and healthy, and said her appearance changed significantly after treatment and reconstruction.
“I think I have more gratitude for life,” Seguin said. “I want to see more and do more ... once this happened, I was going to do something with this experience.”
As honorary chair, Seguin will share that experience at the Zonta Walks for Women. Her speech will focus on her journey and the people whose lives have been affected by breast cancer.
Residents attending the event should register at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. Opening remarks and the walk are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.