Kathleen Reclaims Body Confidence After Lobular Breast Cancer
Kathleen opens up about her unexpected encounter with lobular breast cancer (invasive lobular carcinoma or ILC). Her story isn’t just about diagnoses and surgeries — it’s about resilience, body acceptance, and community.
Interviewed by: Nikki Murphy
Edited by: Chris Sanchez
Kathleen’s breast cancer story began subtly over a decade ago with a benign cyst in her right breast, which led doctors to monitor a faint shadow in her left breast. Despite regular check-ups, it wasn’t until she noticed bloody nipple discharge, a symptom she now knows can indicate breast cancer, that things escalated. Even with MRIs — one of which helped reveal that she had calcifications, a result of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) — ultrasounds, and biopsies, her cancer remained elusive until a mastectomy finally revealed the presence of lobular breast cancer or ILC, a sneaky type of cancer that spreads like a spider web, making it notoriously hard to detect in imaging.
Kathleen reacted swiftly and decisively to her diagnosis. Discovering invasive cancer in one breast prompted her to opt for a second mastectomy for peace of mind. Interestingly, she discovered that ILC accounts for about 15% of breast cancers, yet it flies under the radar compared to its more common counterpart, invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC).
Choosing not to undergo reconstruction, Kathleen faced challenges advocating for her preference to remain flat. Unfortunately, her first plastic surgeon didn’t fully respect her wishes, leaving her with excess skin after surgery. This experience, known as “flat denial,” is common among women seeking a flat closure after mastectomy. However, Kathleen found her voice, connected with supportive online communities, and eventually met a surgeon who honored her decision.
Body-image recovery was transformative. Rather than dwelling on loss, Kathleen embraced her new body, drawing parallels to her carefree childhood self. She even had a beautiful wild rose tattoo done to celebrate her scars and overall experience. Her advocacy work with groups like the Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance and Stand Tall AFC has helped empower countless women to embrace their post-mastectomy bodies confidently, just as she has.
Kathleen’s health journey didn’t stop with surgery. As a nutritionist, she initially believed diet was the key to cancer prevention but later shifted her focus to exercise oncology. She now leads Walk Away From Breast Cancer, a community initiative that promotes physical activity among survivors.
Kathleen’s story is a beacon of hope, illustrating that life after cancer isn’t just about survival — it’s about thriving, self-acceptance, and finding strength in community. Watch her video to learn more from her about:
- Why she chose to go flat — and how this pivotal decision reshaped her life.
- How she found freedom and confidence after her double mastectomy.
- The invisible side of breast cancer: her journey with hard-to-detect ILC.
- How she turned body-image struggles into empowerment and advocacy.
- Name:
- Kathleen M.
- Age at Diagnosis:
- 49
- Diagnosis:
- Lobular Breast Cancer (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC))
- Symptoms:
- Bloody nipple discharge
- Appearance of “shadow” during breast ultrasound
- Treatments:
- Surgery: mastectomy
- Hormone therapy
This interview has been edited for clarity and length. This is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider to make informed treatment decisions.
The views and opinions expressed in this interview do not necessarily reflect those of The Patient Story.
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