I think its a combination of denial and stupidity. Dad still smokes in house. They have always been more concerned about appearance then anything else.
Breast cancer is very survivable when caught early (which hers was) and when the person thinks positive. There is a study somewhere that shows that chemo and other therapies alone is not enough, combined with the belief that you will survive is what makes the difference. Its always back to quantum physics in the end.
We have lots of cancer societies, this past month was national breast cancer awareness month... tons of support... but you do have to ask for it. When in denial you tend to not do that.
Hoping I say this the right way... but in the past my friend and I have always been on opposite sides of the political fence, mostly due to my family having a number of illnesses that may benefit from stem cell research, and hers none. Breast cancer research would benefit tremendously by stem cell research. (I have to also mention... they can now grow functional womens breasts now for transplant! )I can't help but wonder if her ideas on stem cell research will have changed before tuesdays election since it now effects her personally.