Breast Cancer Stories

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women after skin cancer. While cases of breast cancer are most commonly carcinomas, less common types include Paget’s disease, inflammatory and connective tissue.

Survivors share their breast cancer stories on:

• Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) – a form of cancer where abnormal cells begin growing in the lining of the milk ducts and invade breast tissue beyond the walls of the ducts.
• Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) – a noninvasive form of breast cancer where cancer cells start in the lining of a breast duct and have not spread to surrounding tissues
• IDC & DCIS – a combination of both forms of breast cancer.
• Previvor BRCA2 – A mutation that indicates a high risk of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer 101

We’ve aggregated information on breast cancer basics from multiple leading sources, including the National Cancer Institute, along with supporting stories from our breast cancer patients, caregivers, and medical experts. Learn more about the second most common cancer in women.

Breast Cancer Patient Stories

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Stories

Amelia L., IDC, Stage 1, ER/PR+, HER2-



Symptom: Lump found during self breast exam

Treatments: TC chemotherapy; lumpectomy, double mastectomy, reconstruction; Tamoxifen

Rachel Y., IDC, Stage 1B



Symptoms: None; caught by delayed mammogram

Treatments: Double mastectomy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, hormone therapy Tamoxifen

Rach D., IDC, Stage 2, Triple Positive



Symptom: Lump in right breast

Treatments: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, double mastectomy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy

Caitlin J., IDC, Stage 2B, ER/PR+



Symptom: Lump found on breast

Treatments: Lumpectomy, AC/T chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy (Lupron & Anastrozole)

Joy R., IDC, Stage 2, Triple Negative



Symptom: Lump in breast

Treatments: Chemotherapy, double mastectomy, hysterectomy

Triple Negative (TNB) Stories

April D., Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, BRCA1+



Symptom: Four lumps on the side of the left breast

Treatments: Chemotherapy (carboplatin, paclitaxel doxorubicin, surgery (double mastectomy), radiation (proton therapy), PARP inhibitors

Chance O., Stage 2, Triple Negative, BRCA1+



Symptoms: Lump on breast
Treatment: Chemotherapy (doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, paclitaxel, carboplatin), surgery (double mastectomy), radiation, radical hysterectomy (preventive)

Kelly T., Stage 3C, Triple Negative



Symptoms: Swollen lymph nodes on the neck, high white blood count
Treatment: Chemotherapy (doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, paclitaxel, carboplatin, capecitabine), surgery (nipple-sparing, skin-sparing double mastectomy), radiation, hormone therapy (tamoxifen)

Lucy E., Grade 3, Triple Negative, BRCA1



Cancer Details: Found lump shortly after testing positive for BRCA1



1st Symptoms: Lump in breast



Treatment: Chemotherapy, double mastectomy

Melissa H., 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

Melissa B., Stage 1 Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Stage 1 Triple Negative Breast Cancer Symptoms: Pea-sized lumpTreatment: Chemotherapy, surgeries

Stephanie J., 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

Susan S., Recurrent Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Breast Cancer Symptoms: Lump, twisted and caved-in nipple Treatment: Double mastectomy, radiation, lumpectomy, chemo

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Stories

Erica C., DCIS, Stage 0



Symptoms: Indeterminate calcifications found on a routine mammogram
Treatment: Double mastectomy

Margaret A., IDC & DCIS, Stage 2B



Symptoms: Pain in left breast, left nipple inverting

Treatments: Double mastectomy, chemotherapy (AC-T), radiation

Alison R., 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

IDC & DCIS Stories

Natalie W., DCIS, Stage 0, ER+; Paget’s Disease



Symptom: Lump in right breast

Treatments: Lumpectomy, double subcutaneous mastectomy, hormone therapy (tamoxifen)

Margaret A., IDC & DCIS, Stage 2B



Symptoms: Pain in left breast, left nipple inverting

Treatments: Double mastectomy, chemotherapy (AC-T), radiation

Tina C., DCIS & LCIS, Stage 3A, ER+



Symptom: Sunken in nipple of right breast

Treatments: Double mastectomy, chemotherapy (AC-T), radiation, hormone therapy (tamoxifen, Zoladex)

Cat L., IDC & DCIS, Stage 2B, ER+



Symptom: Pain in left breast radiating from lump

Treatments: Bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy (tamoxifen)

LaShae R., IDC & DCIS, Stage 2B, ER+



Symptoms: Lump in breast, pain
Treatments: Chemotherapy (Taxotere and cyclophosphamide), proton radiation

Previvor BRCA2 Stories

Erika S., BRCA2 Mutation



Cancer Details: Previvor
1st Symptoms: Family history of breast cancer, no physical symptoms
Treatment: Preventative double mastectomy, direct implant reconstruction
...

Breast Cancer Resources

Breast cancer general information

Breast Cancer Oncologists & Experts

Doug Blayney, MD



Oncologist: Specializing in breast cancer | HER2, Estrogen+, Triple Negative, Lumpectomy vs. Mastectomy
Experience: 30+ years
Institution: Stanford Medical

Dr. Fayanju, MD, MA Role: Chief, Division of Breast Surgery Focus: Breast Cancer Provider: Penn Medicine

SABCS 2022 Highlights



Top breast cancer doctors Dr. Paolo Tarantino with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Dr. Lola Fayanju with Penn Medicine discuss the big highlights from this year’s San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

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