With years of afterthought and wanting to contribute to the awareness of breast cancer as each October went by, Giovanna Duque owner of Duque Salon+Spa+Boutique in Ballard, always had the intention to create a window at the front of her boutique dedicated to the disease.

"My maternal grandmother died in her early 50s from breast cancer and my mother died at the age of 46 of breast cancer," said Duque. "It was just a little too close to the flame for me. I wanted to go there (create a window) but I didn't want to go there because I saw firsthand what this disease can do to a family."

Diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago at the age of 45, the disease also left Duque a small present when she tested positive with the breast cancer gene, BRCA2. The gene gave her the chance for cancer and to be more likely to return.

"It means it's in your DNA and that there is a faulty switch and anytime it throws or doesn't throw you run the risk of developing cancer cells which grow faster than regular cells," she said.

After a full hysterectomy, three operations, a round of radiation in six months, Duque found no reason to go to the flame she once was afraid to touch because at that point she found herself in the middle of the fire.

Going on an intense journey through her battle with the disease, Duque was given the option to get a lumpectomy - surgery where only the tumor and surrounding tissue is removed from the breast - or to remove both of her breasts.

She decided to have a lumpectomy and approach things on a different path from the norm.

"I decided to get off all of my medications and went to Upaya Institute, a Zen monastery in Santa Fe, N.M., for a month," Duque said. "There we ate clean, meditated and lived with the monks. It cleared a lot of things for me when I returned back home."

The monastery also helped Duque overcome the idea of having the breast cancer gene.

After returning from her time at the monastery, where she said they were anti-fashion (far from her lifestyle at home), she learned how to slow her pace, meditate and think as one mind. Returning just recently, Duque decided that this year would be the year she would create the window she longed to make yet was so apprehensive to pursue.

"I wanted to give the facts to women about things they necessarily don't know. Like one alcoholic drink a day increases a woman's chance for breast cancer by 9.4 percent," she said.

Duque's motto for the battle and awareness for breast cancer is early detection.

"That's the background noise women should start listening to," she said. "Women I don't believe understand that, early detection is what saves lives and what saved my life."

Never initially having a lump when she was first diagnosed, Duque just had a feeling that something was wrong due to an ongoing pain that was consistent.

"I want women to know that it doesn't always have to be a lump and that they have to trust their instincts and take care of themselves."

Duque Salon will be featuring their window dedicated to breast cancer awareness month throughout the month of October. To reward women who can show proof that they have had their 2008 mammogram, Duque is offering a special package and is giving women an opportunity to win a year's worth of spa services.

For more details on Duque's breast cancer awareness special package call 706-7177 or to learn more about Duque's experience at the Upaya Zen Monastery visit her blog at www.downinthemud.blogspot.com.

Allison Espiritu may be reached at 783-1244 or allisone@robinsonnews.com.