Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer: 453 Real Stories

453 stories match breast cancer and chemotherapy. 392 of them mention surgery.

  1. Stage IV Breast Cancer: Fleur’s Patient Story

    Stage 4 · Chemotherapy · Hormone Therapy

    Fleur Profinet was 48 when she spoke about living with metastatic breast cancer and the way it changed family life. She first had breast cancer in 2013, then a recurrence beginning in 2020. Formal biomarker results, specific metastatic sites, surgery details…

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  2. Stage III Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Marlena’s Patient Story

    Stage 3 · Triple-Negative · capecitabine · Chemotherapy

    Marlena Murphy was 40 when she found a lump in her left breast during a monthly self-exam in 2018. Mammography, ultrasound, biopsy, and MRI led to a diagnosis of Stage III triple-negative breast cancer involving nearby lymph nodes. Marlena began chemotherapy…

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  3. Stage III Breast Cancer: Sandra’s Patient Story

    Stage 3 · Chemotherapy · Hormone Therapy

    Sandra Morales first noticed an uncomfortable sensation in her left breast in 2008, when she was 38. Two years later, she had her first mammogram on her birthday. The test found a suspicious mass, and a biopsy led to a Stage III breast cancer diagnosis in May…

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  4. HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Tamara’s Patient Story

    HER2 Positive · Breast Reconstruction · Chemotherapy

    Tamara was 30, recently returned from the United States, and had just given birth when she noticed a small lump in her armpit during breastfeeding. She was first reassured that it was probably a lactation-related cyst, but because her mother had died of…

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  5. Stage II HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: María’s Survivor Story

    Stage 2 · HER2 Positive · Breast Reconstruction · Chemotherapy

    María Ángeles found a small lump in her armpit while showering, just months after a divorce and during a stressful period of rebuilding her life. She had also had fever and some weight loss, but the lump was the sign that pushed her to see her gynecologist. A…

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  6. Stage IV HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Loli’s Patient Story

    Stage 4 · HER2 Positive · Breast Reconstruction · Chemotherapy

    Loli was 63 when she shared the story of having breast cancer 3 times. About 4 years earlier, she felt a hard area in her breast, like mastitis, and quickly saw her gynecologist. An urgent ultrasound and biopsy led to a HER2-positive breast cancer diagnosis…

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  7. Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Stephanie’s Patient Story

    Chemotherapy · Hormone Therapy

    Stephanie was 68 when she shared a long breast cancer history. In 2004, a routine mammogram found an abnormality on the right side. She had a needle-localized biopsy, lumpectomy, and sentinel node biopsy, then was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ and…

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  8. Stage IV Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Caroline’s Patient Story

    Stage 4 · Chemotherapy · mastectomy

    Caroline McGuirk first noticed that her right breast felt tighter in September 2020. Over the following weeks, she developed swelling, redness, and dimpling, and later felt masses behind the nipple. Because she was 31 and otherwise healthy, breast cancer had…

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  9. Stage IV Breast Cancer: Marie-Pierre’s Patient Story

    Stage 4 · Chemotherapy · Radiation

    Marie-Pierre Bertrand was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer when she was barely 50. Before the diagnosis, she had strong fatigue and struggled to get through normal activities. A lymph node was found in 2014, and a mammogram led to the discovery of…

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  10. Stage II Breast Cancer: Ornella’s Survivor Story

    Stage 2 · Chemotherapy

    Ornella first found a small lump in her right breast during a self-examination in 2013. Ultrasound and mammography showed suspicious nodules, and a core needle biopsy confirmed stage 2 breast cancer. She sought a second opinion and was told that her estimated…

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  11. Stage III Breast Cancer: Aalia’s Survivor Story

    Stage 3 · Chemotherapy · mastectomy

    Aalia was 48 when fatigue and a lump she felt while undressing led to a diagnosis of Stage III breast cancer. The diagnosis frightened her, and she worried about what treatment and the future would mean. Her doctors discussed multiple surgeries and other…

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  12. Stage II Breast Cancer: Cristina’s Patient Story

    Stage 2 · Chemotherapy · lymphadenectomy

    Cristina, 45, is a mother from Colombia who was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer after noticing subtle dimpling in the areola of her left breast. She initially paid little attention to the change because it was small and painless. A painful, swollen…

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  13. Stage III Breast Cancer: Diana’s Survivor Story

    Stage 3 · capecitabine · carboplatin

    Diana was 40 when persistent pain in her right breast led her to feel a small lump. She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer and initially felt powerless, vulnerable and sad. Her doctors explained that treatment offered a chance of survival if the cancer…

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  14. Breast Cancer: Mandy’s Survivor Story

    Chemotherapy · Hormone Therapy

    Mandy found a lump in her left breast while getting dressed. When it did not disappear after several months, she arranged her first mammogram about five months after noticing it. The diagnosis brought nervousness, fear, confusion, and repeated thoughts about…

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  15. Stage I Breast Cancer: Sanjana’s Patient Story

    Stage 1 · Chemotherapy · Hormone Therapy

    Sanjana was diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer about 2 years ago after breast thickening, swelling and sudden pain prompted her to seek medical attention. Her treatment journey included chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormone therapy, and she says she…

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  16. Stage III Breast Cancer: Yurley’s Survivor Story

    Stage 3 · Chemotherapy · Hormone Therapy

    Yurley was 36 when she noticed that one breast had retracted inward and a lump was growing. She was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer in October 2022. Unsatisfied with the information she initially received, she sought a second opinion before moving…

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  17. Stage II Breast Cancer: Sarah’s Survivor Story

    Stage 2 · Chemotherapy · Hormone Therapy

    Sarah was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer in 2022 after a radiologist noticed a dark lump during a routine mammogram. The diagnosis brought anger, fear, helplessness and grief, and she responded by making changes to her diet and exercise routine. Her…

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  18. Stage III Breast Cancer: Ada’s Survivor Story

    Stage 3 · Chemotherapy · Hormone Therapy

    Ada was 50 when she faced stage 3 breast cancer after noticing breast lumps and pain in her armpits. The diagnosis brought feelings of helplessness, insecurity, grief and fear, but she chose to follow a broad treatment plan. Her care included a mastectomy…

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  19. Stage II Breast Cancer: Liliana’s Patient Story

    Stage 2 · Chemotherapy · mastectomy

    Liliana noticed a change in her nipple and a strong stabbing pain in her left breast. A preventive examination led to further evaluation, and a second opinion confirmed stage 2 breast cancer. Her doctor discussed a 90% five-year survival estimate. Liliana…

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  20. Stage II Breast Cancer: Martha’s Patient Story

    Stage 2 · Chemotherapy · Hormone Therapy

    Martha noticed bleeding from her nipple and sought medical attention. After obtaining a second opinion because she wanted clearer information, she was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer. The diagnosis left her fearful, helpless, and worried, even after…

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  21. Breast Cancer: Siti’s Patient Story

    Chemotherapy · Radiation

    Siti was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. She underwent surgery to remove the tumor, followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and completed that treatment course by the end of 2018. She then continued regular follow-up from 2019. Later, she…

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  22. Stage III Breast Cancer: Edith’s Patient Story

    Stage 3 · Chemotherapy · docetaxel

    Edith noticed rapid changes in the size and shape of her left breast, followed by a new lump. She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. The diagnosis left her feeling powerless, vulnerable, and guilty that she had not recognized the symptoms earlier, but…

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  23. Stage II Breast Cancer: Martha’s Patient Story

    Stage 2 · Chemotherapy · Immunotherapy

    Martha noticed a highly visible mass in her right breast and was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer. She sought a second opinion from a more experienced doctor and also researched her options before deciding on treatment. Following medical recommendations…

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  24. Stage III Breast Cancer: Carlie’s Patient Story

    Stage 3 · Chemotherapy · Hormone Therapy

    Carlie, 51, was diagnosed with Stage IIIB breast cancer after about 6 months of symptoms in her right breast, including an itchy nipple, sharp searing pain, fatigue, and a feeling that something was off. At first she was told the cancer looked like Stage IIB…

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