Andrea DeMarco is the president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, a leading luxury cruise line. DeMarco has 20 years of diverse cruise industry experience across multiple areas of the business. She has served as chief sales and marketing officer for Regent Seven Seas Cruises since September 2021, during a pivotal time for the cruise line as it resumed operations post-pandemic. Prior to this role, DeMarco held various positions of increasing responsibility since joining Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings in 2012, including as senior vice president of investor relations, corporate communications and environmental, social and governance for the company from January 2020 until August 2021.

As the first female president in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ history, DeMarco decided to use her own breast cancer diagnosis as a platform to encourage others to take their health into their own hands and prioritize life-saving preventative screenings and measures. She shared more in a recent interview with Women Leading Travel & Hospitality:

Women Leading Travel & Hospitality: What does Breast Cancer Awareness Month mean to you?

Andrea DeMarco: As a recent breast cancer warrior, to me Breast Cancer Awareness Month is about saving lives. Early detection is key because breast cancer screening tests can help detect breast cancer at an early stage when the chances of successful treatment and long-term survival are significantly higher. Early detection allows for more effective treatment options and a better prognosis.  In my case, as a result of annual preventative screenings, I’m extremely lucky that the cancer was caught at an early and treatable stage and I’m expected to have a positive outcome.

WLT&H: How do you use your voice as a leader to amplify prevention?

AD: One of the first questions I asked myself after my diagnosis was “Why me?” I think it’s a natural question to ask. When I asked myself this question, I immediately knew the answer was my ability to bring awareness to other females in the hopes of positively changing the trajectory of someone else’s life. As the first female president in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ history, I’ve decided to use my platform to encourage others to take their health into their own hands and prioritize life-saving preventative screenings and measures. I urge you to take control of your well-being and ask yourself the question, have you undergone the essential screenings advised based on your age and individual risk factors? If not, take a moment to prioritize your health and schedule them now. As a leader within my organization, publicly sharing my breast cancer diagnosis and journey may be emotionally challenging for me, but if it can make a life-saving impact on even one person’s life, it’s a choice I consider truly worthwhile.

WLT&H: How can people support those they work with who are fighting breast cancer?

AD: Supporting a coworker who is fighting breast cancer can make a significant positive impact on their well-being. Having a positive mindset during treatment is key, so sending encouraging messages or cards to let them know you’re thinking of them will help them keep a positive outlook. Acknowledge and celebrate their milestones, such as the completion of treatments or other significant events in their cancer journey. Being empathetic, flexible, and supportive can make a significant difference in helping a coworker navigate their journey with breast cancer, both in the workplace and in other aspects of their life.

WL&H: What is something that is most important for others to understand about the experience, as it relates to work and otherwise?

AD: One of the most important things for others to understand about a person’s experience while battling breast cancer is the multifaceted nature of their journey. A cancer diagnosis is a journey with many ups and downs. There is not one action that cures cancer. It’s a process that takes time and endurance to work through and is emotionally and physically exhausting. Breast cancer and its treatments can have significant physical and emotional side effects and the uncertainty of the future and the risk of recurrence can create ongoing anxiety.

WLT&H: Is there anything else you would like the community to know?

AD: Don’t procrastinate when it comes to seeking preventive healthcare or addressing health concerns. Postponing health measures can allow conditions to worsen. When it comes to breast cancer, catching it early significantly impacts your prognosis. If I had not proactively screened annually, I would not have found the cancer until it progressed much further which would have been a very very different outlook. Your health is everything. You never know how valuable your health is until you are fighting for it.