2003 Press Releases

Union Breast Cancer Survivor Places in Fitness Competition 

For 32-year-old Ann Nappi of Union, winning third place in a National Physique Committee-sponsored fitness competition in Northern New Jersey was as rewarding as a Bronze Olympic medal – not only because of the months of hard training and strict nutrition she devoted to this goal, but also because four years ago she had undergone a double mastectomy and intensive chemotherapy for breast cancer. 

In January 1999, then age 28, Mrs. Nappi discovered a lump in her breast while nursing her then 8-month-old son, Frankie. The discovery was particularly poignant since Mrs. Nappi had lost her mother to breast cancer when her mother was just 30, and both grandmothers to the same illness in their early 40’s. Mrs. Nappi’s worst fears were confirmed when her own lump was found to be malignant. With an infant at home as well as a 3 ½-year-old daughter, Alexandra, to care for, she underwent a bilateral (double) mastectomy with Sarah Schaefer, M.D., a breast surgeon affiliated with The Breast Center of the Saint Barnabas Ambulatory Care Center, followed by reconstructive surgery.

The Women’s Extravaganza, held in Hackensack this Fall, has three divisions: Body Building, Fitness (that includes a gymnastics component), and Figure that focuses on a strong, lean physique. For the 5’ 2” mother of two, Figure was the perfect competition category.

“I am a personal trainer for other breast cancer survivors,” says Mrs. Nappi, “And I empathize with them. When you’re in the midst of it, you don’t feel like you’re ever going to feel healthy again. I am also sensitive about women’s feelings about their femininity. This disease can impact women on several levels, and one of them can be their self-image. Today’s technology and surgical capabilities are so amazing however, that I like to assure women that they can look and feel terrific.

“At first, many of my clients look at me as if to say, ‘What can this kid know about cancer?’ When I tell them my story, their mouths drop open. I like them to know that there isn’t just life after cancer, there’s the opportunity for tremendous success.” Thanks to her own hard work, commitment, and discipline, Mrs. Nappi won third place despite being one of the older contestants.

“It’s always gratifying to see individuals who are diagnosed with cancer recover from their disease,” says Richard Michaelson, M.D., Chief of Medical Oncology at Saint Barnabas, and Mrs. Nappi’s oncologist. “And it’s wonderful to see people thrive and overcome their challenges in such a powerful way. To see Ann overcome the physical effects of chemotherapy, the emotional effects of a breast cancer diagnosis, especially at such a young age and with knowledge of her family history, and then to place in a national physique competition after bilateral mastectomy and breast reconstruction is, as Ann would say, ‘Just awesome." 

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