Stage I Gastric Cancer: Allen's Patient Story

Patient Info: Allen Wang, Male | Stage I

After surgery, all 24 removed lymph nodes were cancer-free. Allen recovered quickly, returned to work, and was doing well at follow-up.

Memorial Sloan KetteringRead more →

Stage I Breast Cancer: Sofia's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Sofia | Stage I

She is in remission, is no longer taking medication, and reports being cancer-free since 2023.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

Stage I Ovarian Cancer: Jane's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Jane McGrath, female, 40s | Stage I

Jane was in remission after surgery and 6 rounds of chemotherapy and later became an ovarian-cancer volunteer and advocate.

Memorial Sloan KetteringRead more →

Stage I Breast Cancer: Cheryl's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Cheryl, Female, 60s | Stage I

Cheryl completed surgery and chemotherapy, no longer required cancer medication and moved into survivorship.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

We're Back! Q&A With Breathe Deep TOGETHER Team Captains — Case 2

Patient Info: Anonymized | Stage I

This patient reported being 13 years cancer-free after Stage I lung cancer, while still experiencing recurrence anxiety around follow-up visits.

Stage I Lung Adenocarcinoma: Julie's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Julie Jones, Female, 50s | Stage I

Julie resumed walking the day after VATS and completed a half marathon 53 days after surgery, finishing about 10 minutes slower than before surgery.

Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Robert's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Robert Tumanic, Male | Stage I

After SBRT, follow-up scans showed the treated tumors resolved and no additional tumors requiring treatment; as of May 2019, the treated sites were stable and no further lung-cancer therapy was required.

Stage I Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Susan's Patient Story

Patient Info: Susan, Female | Stage I

Biomarkers: ER 100% positive; HER2-negative; progesterone receptor result not reported; multigene testing pending

Susan had completed breast surgery for a small early-stage invasive ductal cancer and was awaiting final pathology and genetic results to determine whether radiation, chemotherapy, and long-term endocrine therapy would be needed.

breastcancer.orgRead more →

Stage I Breast Cancer: Anny's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Anny, Female | Stage I

Anny was listed as being in remission 10 years after a Stage I breast cancer diagnosis detected through mammography-based screening.

Fondation ARCRead more →

Stage I Breast Cancer: Iris's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Iris, Female | Stage I

Biomarkers: 100% hormone-dependent; genetic testing negative at age 43

Iris had Stage I 100% hormone-dependent breast cancer removed surgically in 2021, followed by re-operation for a 1 mm residual area; later examinations showed no trace of cancer while she continued dietary and lifestyle changes.

Stage I Breast Cancer: Baerbel's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Baerbel Grafenbach, Female, 60s | Stage I

Baerbel completed surgery for early-stage breast cancer, remained satisfied with implant reconstruction, returned to sport, and used early retirement as a chance to reshape life after treatment.

Krankheitserfahrungen.deRead more →

Stage I Breast Cancer: Béatrice's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Béatrice, Female | Stage I

Béatrice had very early breast cancer detected at 2 mm, treated with mastectomy and immediate reconstruction, with no chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy needed and return to work after 9 weeks.

Fondation ARCRead more →

Stage IB lung cancer treated with left upper lobe resection and postoperative recovery story

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female | Stage I

After Stage IB lung cancer was treated with left upper lobe resection, she focused on recovery from significant postoperative pain; by about 2 months after surgery, the pain had greatly improved and she felt hopeful about regaining strength.

Stage I Breast Cancer: Jess's Patient Story

Patient Info: Jess, Female, 50s | Stage I

Jess completed most treatment for Stage I breast cancer and remained on hormone therapy alone, with ongoing attention to diet, exercise, recurrence fears, and follow-up when symptoms feel suspicious.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

Stage I Breast Cancer: Kacey's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Kacey, Female, Under 40 | Stage I

Kacey had Stage I breast cancer found on a scheduled mammogram, received lumpectomy and hormone therapy, avoided chemotherapy after surgery showed no spread, and later reported remission with no ongoing medication.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

Stage I Breast Cancer: Kelly's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Kelly, Female, 70+ | Stage I

Kelly completed treatment for Stage I breast cancer and remained in remission while continuing medication to help keep the cancer from returning.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

Stage I breast cancer, mastectomy, hormone therapy, and survivorship anxiety story

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female | Stage I

She had Stage I breast cancer found on her first mammogram in her 40s, underwent total mastectomy, continued hormone therapy, and was approaching a 5-year checkup while coping with anxiety and new discomfort in the opposite breast.

Stage I breast cancer, breast-conserving surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, and 10-year cancer-free story

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female | Stage I

After early detection in April 2009, she completed breast-conserving surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy, returned to work fairly quickly, and had no recurrence over 10 years.

Stage I hormone-responsive breast cancer treated with breast-conserving surgery and planned chemotherapy story

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female | Stage I

Biomarkers: ER-positive; PR-positive

After breast-conserving surgery with no lymph node spread and hormone-responsive pathology, she chose to add chemotherapy to hormone therapy and radiation to reduce recurrence risk, with chemotherapy scheduled to start on June 25, 2008.

Stage I Breast Cancer: Amy's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Amy, Female, Under 40 | Stage I

Amy had Stage I breast cancer treated with lumpectomy, avoided chemotherapy after the plan changed, and described optimism, recovery goals, and fear-of-recurrence support.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

Stage I Breast Cancer: Clara's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Clara, Female, 40s | Stage I

Clara completed treatment for Stage I breast cancer and focused afterward on nutrition, relapse prevention, staying healthy, and returning to family life.

Our Cancer StoriesRead more →

Stage I Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Chickie's Patient Story

Patient Info: Chickie, Female, 70+ | Stage I

Biomarkers: Oncotype DX scores 16 and 17

Chickie had bilateral Stage I ILC treated with bilateral lumpectomy, clear margins, negative lymph nodes, low Oncotype DX scores that avoided chemotherapy, and photon radiation.

Lobular Breast Cancer AllianceRead more →

Stage I Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Kathy's Patient Story

Patient Info: Kathy, Female | Stage I

Kathy was diagnosed with Stage IB invasive lobular carcinoma in 2019 after MRI and second opinion revealed a right-breast abnormality missed by mammography, and she later joined LBCA advocacy and research efforts.

Lobular Breast Cancer AllianceRead more →

Stage I Breast Cancer: Dianne's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Dianne Austin, Female, 40s | Stage I

Disease-free after treatment for early Stage I breast cancer, with chemotherapy and radiation completed and ongoing survivorship focused on resilience, hair loss recovery, and advocacy for better wig access for women of color.

Massachusetts General HospitalRead more →