Decades before I was diagnosed with HR+/HER2 breast cancer in 2022, it was the norm for clinical trials to exclude women. Women were “messy”; they experienced hormone changes each month, they could become pregnant.

I am grateful to the doctors and scientists who fought to include women, and ultimately, study women’s health. I am the beneficiary of that research.

Now, we are facing a different fight, and I am urging my fellow Pennsylvanians to once again support research — not only for women, but for everyone.

Americans’ health may be at risk due to the loss of federal funding for critical public health research. The National Institutes of Health, the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, is facing proposed federal cuts that would halt life-saving work that is happening at universities across the country.

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2022, I had a tumor in each breast and the cancer had metastasized to two vertebrae in my spine. My doctors said that if it were just a few years earlier, they would have given me two years to live.

However, it’s almost three years later, and my cancer seems controlled by one little pill, and I feel fine. Thank you, National Institutes of Health! Thank you, taxpayers! Thank you, universities, where decades of laboratory research revealed how different cancer cells develop and grow. This type of work ultimately led to my treatment.

My oncologist says she no longer predicts how long her patients can expect to live. Why? Because new discoveries are emerging rapidly from cancer research. At my recent follow-up, she told me of major strides in cancer research since I was diagnosed. For example, they can now identify the molecular genetics of a tumor and provide a targeted treatment — without chemo.

My treatment, and how well I am doing, is a direct result of past university research, and the research being conducted today will help others tomorrow. For example, at Penn State, where I work, scientists recently discovered how breast cancer invades healthy tissue. This finding shows the hope we can have for our friends and family members who may face a serious disease like mine.

Because of research into how tumors grow and react to drugs, I never had to undergo chemo, with its debilitating effects. Researchers discovered that some cancers are “fed” by estrogen. So, I take a little estrogen blocker every day. That pill starves tumors, and I have no side effects.

Because of research into radiation treatments, my two spinal tumors were treatable. I had stereotactic radiation, which is an extremely targeted treatment that sends low-dose rays to tumors from many different angles, avoiding harm to healthy tissue. Spinal tumors are traditionally dangerous to remove surgically, so this radiation treatment was an excellent option for me. To quote my doctor, my spinal tumors after radiation look like “schmutz” (that’s a good thing).

I have had so many friends die from breast cancer over the years. You probably know someone who died due to cancer, too.

Today, I have family and friends who are survivors. You probably do too.

How is it a breast cancer diagnosis is no longer a death sentence? Government-funded, university-supported research gives me — and those like me in Pennsylvania and all around the world — a future.

But the fight is not over. There are other cancers and some terrible incurable diseases that still need to be conquered.

And now, as universities across the country face cuts to critical funding, Penn State is backing the legal challenge to the National Science Foundation’s proposed cut. I am proud to belong to a community of people speaking outfor those afflicted with serious medical conditions.

Researchers must be allowed to press on, to continue to make discoveries that give hope — and give life — to others. If we do not support research, we fail our families and neighbors.

Let us stand up now, so others can benefit from the fight.

Pamela Cole is a child psychologist and Penn State professor specializing in young children’s emotional development and risk for problems

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