Two days before she was sworn in as Eugene’s mayor in January, Kaarin Knudson woke before dawn. Her hand fell to her chest.
Her fingers paused on a lump between her sternum and the center of her left breast. Even half-awake, Knudson knew what it could mean: The breast cancer she had once before might be back — this time, just as she was stepping into the most public role of her life.
For the architect and former University of Oregon track star, who is 49, the recurrence was a private test of endurance during her first nine months in office. She spoke publicly about it for the first time Monday, Oct. 13, during a City Council meeting, as she recognized Breast Cancer Awareness Month…