Beth McSwain: Four-Time Fighter
How Beth has navigated four cancer journeys while being inspired by Jim Valvano
When describing herself, the first word that came to Beth McSwain’s mind was fighter.
“I’m just a fighter,” Beth said. ”I am still wanting to live life. I don’t give up. My mindset is you get up every day and you move forward. You do what you can, you pray, you trust, and you wait, and you do all you can to fight.”
This mentality has been crucial for Beth for over a decade across four bouts with cancer.
As a person who eats healthy, enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, and has no other health issues, each diagnosis was shocking.
Beth’s Cancer Journey
Twelve years ago, Beth was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent a lumpectomy and radiation and was diagnosed cancer-free.
Four years ago, Beth heard the difficult news once again. This time, a colonoscopy found cancer in her colon. She had surgery to remove a portion of the organ, having to wear an ileostomy bag for three months before having the ileostomy reversed.
“I was very thankful for that to be able to happen,” Beth said. “No radiation, no chemotherapy, and was deemed to be cancer free.”
In September of 2024, a mammogram revealed a very small tumor in her other breast and she underwent another lumpectomy.
“So, now I’m a bilateral breast cancer survivor,” Beth said. “It was a very small spot. No chemotherapy or radiation from that.”
Just three months later, Beth was experiencing stomach pain and went to the hospital.
“They ran tests over four days. They found pancreatic cancer.”
Beth began chemotherapy in January. The cancer is responding to treatment. She will undergo another three months of chemo before getting the next follow-up scans.
“They’re treating me very aggressively. I am fortunate in that I am able to do the chemo. It’s not an easy thing to go through, but I feel fortunate that it is responding and I’m doing well.”
“The doctors are a little perplexed as to why my body seems to want to generate cancer cells. That’s where I am so thankful for the V Foundation and all the research they do. It helps look out there and try to figure out these types of things.”
The V Foundation and Importance of Research
Beth didn’t know Jim Valvano personally, but she wasn’t unfamiliar with him. A native of North Carolina and proclaimed Duke basketball fan, she remembers watching Jim coach and following his career after coaching. She also remembers Jim Valvano’s speech at the 1993 ESPY Awards Show – it continues to inspire her.
“I just love Jim Valvano’s speech; it inspires me every day. “Don’t Give Up . . . Don’t Ever Give Up!”® I’m 63 years young and I want to be around for many more years!”
While in his own battle with cancer, Jim founded the V Foundation for Cancer research to invest in lifesaving research in the future. This outlook has paved the way to help others, providing new treatment options and hope.
“The V Foundation inspires me because Jimmy V started it near the end when he was facing all that he faced. For him to do that, and to look not just at what he was going through, but what could we do for others, just awesome. And the fact that a hundred percent of [direct donations] go toward that, it speaks to me.”
Beth’s advice to others is to stay on top of your health. Research has advanced early detection methods, and many cancers have gentler, more effective treatments when caught early.
“Victory Over Cancer® would be early screenings that would catch it and advancements in the way it’s treated. If we could figure out the why, and then figure out how to treat it, it would never become life-threatening. Victory would mean it would not be life-threatening, even if you did have a cancer.”
