CLEVELAND -- On the 5th of every month, NewsChannel5 celebrates Loving Partners, a campaign with University Hospitals to remind people about the early detection of breast cancer.

This month, NewsChannel5's Alicia Booth reported that one local young woman knows all about loving partners, because hers are helping her beat breast cancer.

Later this month, Joy Lefrance and Mark Pender will be walking down the aisle.

But they have a much tougher journey ahead of them than marriage.

"I felt like I was going to pass out, and it was just the worst news I could have heard," Lefrance said.

At 29, Lefrance learned that she had breast cancer. But she knew right from the start that it would not be a battle that she'd have to face alone. In fact, it was her fiance who found the lump in the first place.

"My first reaction to it was, 'This isn't supposed to be here; I'd better find out what this is,'" Pender said.

After the diagnosis, Pender swung into action.

"And that meant doing the research on who the best doctors were in this area, (what) the best hospitals were in this area," he said.

The search ended with University Hospitals and Dr. Paula Silverman, who saw right away how crucial Pender's role would be in Lefrance's treatment.

"People have fewer side effects and they are more calm and just the whole (thing) is so much better if there's someone standing behind you," Silverman said.

Pender was right there when Lefrance underwent her bone scan to see if, in fact, the cancer had spread. It had not.

That was a good day, but not all of them are. What's consistent is Pender's commitment.

"It's not what he says, it's not the things that he does -- it's how he looks at me, touches me," Lefrance said. "It's just a reassurance that 'I'm there for you.'"

The couple even finds humor in their battle against cancer, much of it coming from their kids.

"And my son thinks that I have bonus cancer, which is the one you're not going to die from," Lefrance said. "It's a good cancer."

The "good" part of cancer for the couple is the part that's bringing them even closer.

"I'm very proud of her," Pender said.

Lefrance will start her chemotherapy right after her wedding next week.

If you have any questions about breast cancer, call the Loving Partners hot line toll-free at (800) 641-2422.

In the meantime, we hope you find the time to get a loving partner, such as a sister, mother, or friend, and remind her to do a breast self-exam once a month.