MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) - The significance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month will never be lost on Stephanie Wright.

It was January 26, 2020, when she entered the ring for an unexpected fight.

"I was just laying around," Wright said. "And I went to get up, and I just kind of felt something that didn't feel right on my left breast."

After her yearly exam, a mammogram and ultrasound, Wright finally got a biopsy that March, but she had to wait for an April phone call to learn the results due to the Covid-19 pandemic. When she picked up the phone, she learned she had stage two breast cancer.

"My focus just became my three boys and fighting to live for them," Wright said.

After 16 rounds of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy, Wright declared victory over breast cancer in September of 2020. She says it was her faith and reassurance from her anesthesiologist before surgery that allowed her to believe it was possible.

"He said my sister, you're going to be okay. The Lord is your shepherd, you already have everything you need," Wright said. "And from that moment, without a shadow of a doubt, I knew that I was going to be okay."

Just like in Wright's case, early detection is the key to overcoming breast cancer. Dr. Paul Dale, the Director for the Atrium Health Navicent Peyton Anderson Cancer Center, says women should begin baseline screening mammograms no later than age 40.

"We can find cancers on mammography so small they can't even spread," Dr. Dale said. "So, if we can find cancers before they can spread, we can cure breast cancer."

Dr. Dale says a barrier in early detection of breast cancer is misconceptions about getting screened, such as the effects of radiation.

"The radiation that you're exposed to when getting a mammogram is less than the radiation you get when you get on an airplane and fly to New York City," Dr. Dale said.

Dr. Dale says newer mammogram machines have made screening far less painful than what most might expect. While the process still might not be ideal for some, he stresses that taking care of your health is.

"I'm not saying it's the most comfortable thing you're going to get done," Dr. Dale said. "But guess what, that little bit of discomfort may save your life."

Wright spends time year-round working to convince women to get mammograms and ask their doctors uncomfortable questions regarding their health.