TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

The old adage "knowledge is power" rings true for Tricia Bland, but she says knowledge itself is not enough.

The Bakersfield resident, who today is in prime physical condition after undergoing nine chest surgeries as a result of lumps in her breasts, said people must apply knowledge for it to make a difference. Plus they have to be ready to persevere over any additional obstacles that arise. That's how she lives her life, anyway, and it's worked out pretty well.

A personal trainer and dietitian, Bland will lead the Breakaway Mile, where cancer patients and survivors will walk one mile to the Amgen Tour of California finish line in Bakersfield, which is Stage 5 of the tour. They'll arrive at the finish line about an hour before the cyclists get there.

"I was just overwhelmed," Bland said of her reaction to being chosen to lead the walk, which will have a maximum of 150 people. "There are so many awesome cancer survivors in the area."

Bland has had five chest tumors, the first ones at the age of 19, and the last one at 31, when a pre-cancerous lump was discovered. She underwent bilateral radical mastectomies, which involved the removal of both breasts.

The following year was tough, she said, but she eventually got implants. Those worked out fine until she fell down a rocky embankment in January while training for a 50-mile run and ruptured the implants.

"Technically they have a 10-year expiration date, but they lasted 17 years so at least I was able to keep them that long," Bland said with a laugh.

She has new implants and is hoping to avoid any more chest surgeries.

Bland said she exercises regularly and eats healthily, and tries to pass those habits on to others. She is a board member for the American Cancer Society for Kern County, volunteers to help the men's prostate support group with nutrition information and has served as a consultant dietitian for Hoffman Hospice.

Amgen spokeswoman Kristen Davis said Bland was among a group of nominees submitted based on their impact on the lives of other cancer patients and survivors in the community. Bland was chosen for Stage 5, but a Breakaway Mile will also be held during the tour's stages in Santa Cruz, Modesto and Thousand Oaks.

The Breakaway from Cancer initiative supports programs and services provided by the Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Support Community, Patient Advocate Foundation and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, according to the Breakaway from Cancer website. Founded by Amgen in 2005, its purpose is to increase awareness of resources available to cancer patients.

The Breakaway Mile in Bakersfield will start at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.