In a powerful and emotional moment during a routine city council meeting, Arvada Mayor Lauren Simpson publicly revealed her recent breast cancer diagnosis. The 42-year-old politician shared the deeply personal news with her colleagues and constituents on Tuesday night, demonstrating remarkable courage and resilience in the face of a daunting health challenge.
A Battle That Picked Her
'In politics, we always say pick your battles, but sometimes the battles pick you,' Simpson told the council chamber. 'I don't think cancer knew who it was picking when it picked me, but best believe I'm going to kick its butt.'
The mayor explained that she received her stage one breast cancer diagnosis over the holiday period after medical professionals discovered concerning developments in both breasts. Doctors identified a mass in her left breast alongside three separate tumors growing in her right breast.
A Narrow Escape From Delayed Detection
Simpson's path to diagnosis contained a potentially dangerous near-miss. She revealed that she had almost skipped her follow-up screening appointment after initially being told she had a benign cyst. 'I almost didn't go because, in my mind, I was just on the table two weeks ago,' she confessed.
'Thank God I did my routine appointment,' Simpson emphasized, 'because if I waited another year, the cancer could have spread.' Her experience underscores the critical importance of regular screening, particularly for women in their forties who might feel healthy and asymptomatic.
Treatment Plan and Recovery Timeline
The mayor outlined her forthcoming medical journey, which includes surgery scheduled for Monday. She expects to undergo a mastectomy on her right side combined with a lumpectomy procedure on the left. Simpson expressed optimism about her recovery, hoping to return to her official duties as early as April.
'I'm going to be back here with all of you soon,' she assured the council. 'I'm coming back.' Medical assessments indicate she will likely avoid chemotherapy and radiation treatments, though hormone therapy will probably be necessary to prevent recurrence.
Personal Considerations in Treatment Decisions
Simpson made the deliberate choice to preserve one breast despite understanding this leaves some risk of future cancer development. Her decision stemmed from wanting to maintain sensation in her chest area. 'What stuck with me is, one woman said, 'I can't feel when my grandchildren hug me,'' Simpson explained. 'I need to feel my daughter hug me.'
The mayor has a nine-year-old daughter named Tabitha who understands her mother's diagnosis and upcoming surgery. During Simpson's recovery period, which includes a complex reconstructive procedure using abdominal tissue, Tabitha will stay with her grandparents.
A Broader Message About Screening Importance
Beyond sharing her personal story, Simpson aimed to deliver a crucial public health message. She specifically encouraged women around her age to prioritize regular mammograms, noting that current guidelines recommend screenings every two years for women aged 40 to 74 at average risk.
'I have a whole new appreciation for how important [screening] is because I'm asymptomatic,' Simpson reflected. 'I thought I was fine. Turns out I wasn't. But now, I'm going to be.'
Concerning Trends in Cancer Statistics
Her announcement comes amid troubling cancer trends identified by health organizations. The American Cancer Society reports rising rates for several common cancers, with women under 50 now nearly twice as likely to receive cancer diagnoses compared to men in the same age bracket. Some experts suggest that global trends toward delayed childbearing might contribute to increased breast cancer risks among younger women.
Municipal Continuity During Treatment
While Simpson focuses on her health, Arvada's city operations will continue under the supervision of Mayor Pro Tempore Randy Moorman. The Colorado community, home to approximately 121,900 residents located northwest of Denver, will maintain normal functions during her absence.
'I'm a quick phone call away, but I don't think they're going to need me, to be honest,' Simpson told council members. 'Nothing is going to be missed. Nothing is going to be paused.'
This includes Arvada's upcoming State of the City address on April 10, which Simpson will introduce before Moorman delivers the speech. Councilwoman Shawna Ambrose convinced Simpson that standing for an extended period so soon after surgery would be unwise.
Simpson's goal remains returning for the next scheduled city council meeting on April 7, though she acknowledges her recovery might require temporary assistance. 'I may be walking with a cane, but I should be walking,' she stated with characteristic determination.
