October 6, 2025

Four-Time Cancer Survivor Teresa is the Definition of Perseverance and Hope through Melanoma, Lip, and Breast Cancer

When Teresa B. talks about her experience with cancer, she doesn’t tell just one story. She’s faced several diagnoses over the years including lip cancer, breast cancer (twice), and melanoma. Through it all, she’s learned what it means to stay resilient and keep moving forward with purpose.

Interviewed by: Nikki Murphy
Edited by: Chris Sanchez & Jeff Forslund

Teresa’s first diagnosis came in 2008. What started as a small, persistent spot on her lip turned out to be lip cancer — news that came out of nowhere and upended her life during an already difficult time. The surgery to remove the tumor left visible scars, but it also marked the beginning of something else: her journey toward self-advocacy and learning how to speak up for herself in a complicated medical world. Several years later, Teresa faced a new challenge, breast cancer.

Teresa recalls the paralyzing fear and uncertainty of getting her breast cancer diagnosis, amplified by her family’s history yet absence of genetic markers. Working closely with her care team, she chose a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, facing the decision to remove her breasts as both difficult and transformative. Her journey was anything but linear; she experienced significant side effects from her hormone therapy drug, including strokes and heart arrhythmia, which forced her to discontinue the medication. Brain surgery and ongoing health challenges complicated her path, yet she remained determined to stay alive.

Her breast cancer recurred, manifesting across her chest wall, which required intensive radiation therapy. The emotional weight of treatment and frequent appointments was heavy, but Teresa’s support network, especially her girlfriends, provided laughter and comfort. Each checkup brought anxiety, but also relief and gratitude for additional years without disease. Not long after celebrating remission, Teresa faced a melanoma diagnosis. Early intervention and surgery proved effective, resulting in a long-term, cancer-free stretch.

Today, Teresa views life through the lens of breast cancer survivorship, one that involves routine monitoring, speaking up for herself and others, and taking time to reflect on how cancer has shaped who she is. The experience has fueled her commitment to supporting others by launching a podcast and sharing her story publicly. Teresa’s motto, “Not today, Life,” and her message of hope, resilience, and self-advocacy resonate with fellow patients and families. She asserts that while the fear may linger, community, laughter, and a determination to pursue purpose make survivorship more than just an absence of disease; it’s a journey of self-discovery and ongoing renewal.

Watch Teresa’s video and read through the transcript of her interview to learn more about:

Her transformation: From shock and fear to empowerment, Teresa now finds purpose by raising her voice and supporting others
How early detection and acting on subtle symptoms, like changes to the breast, can make a crucial difference
The significance of emotional recovery. It’s as significant as physical recovery, especially when facing body changes and identity shifts
How crucial it is to have a strong support network during treatment and recovery, particularly friends who nurture joy and laughter
A universal truth: Self-advocacy and persistence matter. Patients can and should speak up for their needs throughout the cancer experience

Name: Teresa B.
Diagnosis:
- Lip Cancer
- Breast Cancer (Recurrent)
- Melanoma
Age at Diagnosis:
- Lip Cancer: 43
- Breast Cancer: 48 (Recurrence: 53)
- Melanoma: 54
Symptoms:
- Lip cancer: chapped lips and appearance of a persistent pimple-like growth on lip
- Breast cancer: swollen and enlarged left breast and appearance of lump (Recurrence: appearance of another lump)
- Melanoma: none (discovered during routine skin exam)
Treatments:
- Surgeries: bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction, lumpectomy, craniotomy, Mohs surgery, wide local excision
- Hormone therapy
- Radiation therapy

Teresa B. breast cancer survivor experience

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.

Transcript of Teresa’s Interview

My name is Teresa
First signs of cancer: my lip cancer diagnosis
Five years later: breast cancer strikes
Understanding my treatment options
The side effects I experienced
Emotional recovery: losing my breasts and identity
My genetic testing and family concerns
Breast cancer recurrence: discovering and treating a new tumor
Melanoma diagnosis: another battle
Long-term monitoring and survivorship
Where I found support
My message of hope

My name is Teresa

I live in Massachusetts. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013.

I’m a four-time cancer survivor. My friends and family would describe me as a go-getter and a warrior. I continually strive to achieve the goals I set for myself. I love traveling, especially overseas. Experiencing different cultures and authentic local foods is
something I value. The food in Europe is so much cleaner and purer compared to what we get in the United States.

First signs of cancer: my lip cancer diagnosis

In 2008, during the financial crisis, I lost my job in the tech industry. I started training individuals outdoors in California. My lips were always chapped, and one day I noticed a bump that looked like a pimple. The pain was intense, and my esthetician advised me to see a doctor. After a biopsy, they called to tell me I had lip cancer. I received Mohs surgery, and by the end, my lip was swollen, and I was shocked by the recovery process.

Five years later: breast cancer strikes

I never thought the cancer would come back. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I noticed my left breast looked larger. I felt a hard mass, not a lump, which was concerning. My doctor immediately sent me for a mammogram and biopsy, confirming
breast cancer.

Understanding my treatment options

I met with oncologists and surgeons to determine treatment. Options included lumpectomy, bilateral mastectomy, and reconstruction with implants. My family has a history of breast cancer with no genetic traces, so I chose a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.

The side effects I experienced

My cancer was hormone receptor-positive but non-reactive to chemotherapy according to the Oncotype DX test. I started tamoxifen but soon developed severe side effects, including strokes and heart arrhythmia. Eventually, I required brain surgery for aneurysms and had to discontinue tamoxifen.

Emotional recovery: losing my breasts and identity

Deciding to remove my breasts was difficult. The moment I saw my reconstructed chest, I cried — it was better than expected but still an emotional loss. Later, getting implants restored a sense of identity for me as a woman.

My genetic testing and family concerns

Early on, genetic testing screened for 138 different genes; all were negative. My father died of colon cancer, but I had no hereditary indicators. I was relieved that my three sons wouldn’t inherit any cancer genes.

Breast cancer recurrence: discovering and treating a new tumor

Five years after initial recovery, I discovered a new mass. Extensive testing showed cancer across my chest wall, treated with three months of radiation. Radiation was intense and led to depression, but subsequent scans show I’m six years cancer-free.

Melanoma diagnosis: another battle

In 2019, soon after celebrating the end of treatment with friends, I was diagnosed with melanoma. Early intervention and surgery were successful, and I’ve had no recurrence for six years.

Long-term monitoring and survivorship

Ongoing monitoring includes manual exams and scans. Frequent checks are necessary, but I am moving towards yearly appointments. Survivorship means finding purpose, especially through my podcast and writing — a way to heal myself and inspire others.

Where I found support

My support network of girlfriends was essential. They attended appointments, hosted slumber parties, and helped me find laughter and normalcy during the hardest times.

My message of hope

Hope means you can rise above anything. If you want something badly enough, you’ll achieve it. My motto is: ‘Not today, Life.’ Never give up on yourself, bring in friends who bring joy, and always advocate for your health.

Thank you for sharing your story, Teresa!

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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

Kathleen M. lobular breast cancer invasive lobular carcinoma ILC