Breast Cancer Stories from Patients, Survivors, Caregivers
Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women after skin cancer. Once you get a diagnosis, there are so many questions about how to navigate life with breast cancer.
Get your human answers to your breast cancer questions from patients who share their in-depth stories below, highlighting treatment decision-making, advocating for themselves as patients, and quality of life issues. Choose the story based on breast cancer types and subtypes.
We also feature top breast cancer medical expert voices.
I. Understanding Breast Cancer
II. Breast Cancer Patient Stories
Breast Cancer Patient Stories
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Stories
Amelia Laytham, IDC, Stage 1, ER/PR+, HER2-
Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer.
1st Symptoms: Lump found during self breast exam
Treatment: TC chemotherapy; lumpectomy, double mastectomy, reconstruction; Tamoxifen
Rachel Yasui, IDC, Stage 1B
Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer. Stage 1B.
1st Symptoms: None, caught by delayed mammogram
Treatment: Double mastectomy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, hormone therapy Tamoxifen
Rach DiMare, IDC, Stage 2, Triple Positive
Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer.
1st Symptoms: Lump in right breast
Treatment: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, double mastectomy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy
Caitlin James, IDC, Stage 2B, ER/PR Positive
Cancer Details: ER/PR positive = estrogen and progesterone receptor positive
1st Symptoms: Lump found on breast
Treatment: Lumpectomy, AC/T chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy (Lupron and Anastrozole)
Joy Rodgers, IDC, Stage 2, Triple Negative
Cancer details: Triple negative doesn’t have any receptors commonly found in breast cancer making it harder to treat
1st Symptoms: Lump in breast
Treatment: Chemo, double mastectomy, hysterectomy
Callie Metler-Smith, IDC, Stage 2B, Grade 2, ER+
Cancer Details: ER positive = estrogen receptor positive
1st Symptoms: Dimpling/lump found on breast
Treatment: Mastectomy, AC/T chemotherapy, hysterectomy, reconstruction
Monica Hoffman, IDC, Stage 2B
Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer.
1st Symptoms: Tightness and lump in left breast
Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery
Stefanie Hauser, IDC, Triple Positive, Stage 3
Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer. Triple positive = positive for HER2, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR)
1st Symptoms: Lump in breast
Treatment: chemotherapy, lumpectomy, radiation
Doreen DiSalvo, IDC, Stage 2A, Triple Positive
Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer. Triple positive = positive for HER2, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR)
1st Symptoms: Lump in left breast
Treatment: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (TCHP), lumpectomy, radiation
Melissa Humphrey, Stage 2B, Triple Negative
Cancer details: Triple negative doesn’t have any receptors commonly found in breast cancer making it harder to treat
1st Symptoms: Lump in left breast
Treatment: Mastectomy, chemotherapy, 2nd mastectomy
Genoa Martell, Stage 2, HER2-Positive
Cancer details: HER2-positive tends to be more aggressive than HER2-negative cases
1st Symptoms: Nausea
Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiation
Andrea Anderson, IDC, Stage 2B/3, ER+
Cancer details: Found cancer while pregnant
1st Symptoms: Divot in breast
Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery
Stephanie Johnson, Stage 3, Triple Negative, BRCA1+
Cancer details: Triple negative doesn’t have any receptors commonly found in breast cancer
1st Symptoms: Lump in left breast
Treatment: Chemotherapy, surgery
Renee Nicholls, IDC, Stage 3, HER2+
Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer.
1st Symptoms: Lump in breast
Treatment: chemotherapy, bilateral mastectomy, radiation
Shari Sheranian, Stage 4, Metastatic, Triple Positive
Cancer details: Triple positive = positive for HER2, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR)
1st Symptoms: Lump in breast
Treatment: Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation
Erin Cronican, IDC, Triple Negative, Stage 2B/4 Metastatic
Cancer details: Triple negative doesn’t have any receptors commonly found in breast cancer making it harder to treat
1st Symptoms: Pain in breast
Treatment: Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation
Margaret Abe-Koga IDC & DCIS, Stage 2B
Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer. DCIS means cancer has not spread into surrounding breast tissue
1st Symptoms: Pain in left breast, left nipple inverting
Treatment: Double mastectomy, chemo (AC-T), Radiation
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Stories
Margaret Abe-Koga IDC & DCIS, Stage 2B
Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer. DCIS means cancer has not spread into surrounding breast tissue
1st Symptoms: Pain in left breast, left nipple inverting
Treatment: Double mastectomy, chemo (AC-T), Radiation
Alison Rash, Partially Differentiated DCIS, Stage 4 Metastatic
Cancer details: Triple positive = positive for HER2, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR)
1st Symptoms: Lump in underarm/breast
Treatment: Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, targeted therapy
Combination Types
Natalie Wilson, Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, Stage 0, ER+; Paget’s Disease
Cancer Details: Only 1-4% of breast cancer cases also includes Paget’s
1st Symptoms: 2cm lump found in right breast
Treatment: Lumpectomy, double subcutaneous mastectomy, hormone therapy
Cancer Details: Only 1-4% of breast cancer cases also includes Paget’s
1st Symptoms: 2cm lump found in right breast
Treatment: Lumpectomy, double subcutaneous mastectomy, hormone therapy
Margaret Abe-Koga IDC & DCIS, Stage 2B
Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer. DCIS means cancer has not spread into surrounding breast tissue
1st Symptoms: Pain in left breast, left nipple inverting
Treatment: Double mastectomy, chemo (AC-T), Radiation
Tina Conrad, Ductal & Lobular Carcinoma in Situ, Stage 3A, ER+
Cancer details: Both ductal and lobular, estrogen receptor positive. Different than breast cancer Tina’s mom was diagnosed w/ twice.
1st Symptoms: Sunken in nipple of right breast
Treatment: Double mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy
Cancer details: Both ductal and lobular, estrogen receptor positive. Different than breast cancer Tina’s mom was diagnosed w/ twice.
1st Symptoms: Sunken in nipple of right breast
Treatment: Double mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy
Cat Levitt, IDC & DCIS, Stage 2B
Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer. DCIS means cancer has not spread into surrounding breast tissue
1st Symptoms: Pain in left breast radiating from lump
Treatment: Bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy
Previvor BRCA2
Erika Stallings, BRCA2 Mutation
Cancer Details: Previvor
1st Symptoms: Family history of breast cancer, no physical symptoms
Treatment: Preventative double mastectomy, direct implant reconstruction
...
Ask A Breast Cancer Oncologist
Dr. Doug Blayney, Breast Cancer Specialist
Oncologist: Specializing in breast cancer | HER2, Estrogen+, Triple Negative, Lumpectomy vs. Mastectomy
Experience: 30+ years
Hospital/clinic size: Large teaching institution
Navigating Life with Cancer
Processing a Cancer Diagnosis
Cancer patients share how they were able to eventually process their cancer diagnosis.
Breaking the News of Diagnosis to Loved Ones
Once cancer patients learn of their own diagnosis, one of the top questions next is how to tell family and friends. Get some guidance from those who’ve already been there.
How to Be a Self-Advocate
Cancer patients share how they advocated for themselves throughout the diagnosis and treatment experience.
Hair Loss & Cancer Treatment
One of the most popular questions, especially with chemotherapy as part of cancer treatment, is, “Will I lose my hair?” Hear how some people managed through hair loss.