Life is like a Mad-Lib, and Jennifer White is taking control of what she can fill in the blank spaces.

The Atlanta-based cyber security consultant was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in January 2019. In July of that same year, White, a Boston native, came to Dana-Farber. She currently comes to Boston four times a year for visits.

For White, there is nothing more important as a cancer patient than being your own biggest advocate. She believes that her constant questions, search for second opinions, and knowledge of her own body has tremendously affected her journey.

Here are her words of advice to other patients who may be going through a similar journey, as well as words of wisdom about cancer prevention.

Get your physical every year.

White had no symptoms when she was at her yearly physical. Finding out about her CLL diagnosis was nothing short of total shock, after it was discovered that her white blood cell and lymphocyte count was much higher than the normal range.

Source: Patient with Cancer Shares Tips for Being Your Biggest Advocate | Dana-Farber