Breast Cancer: 732 Real Stories

732 stories match breast cancer. 559 of them mention surgery.

  1. 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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  2. HR-Positive Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Suzanne’s Patient Story

    ER Positive · lumpectomy · Surgery

    Suzanne was 57 when she found a small lump in her left breast in March 2021. She noticed it while checking soreness she associated with strength training. Mammography and ultrasound were followed by a fine-needle aspiration, and she was told the sampled cells…

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  3. Stage I Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Virgie’s Patient Story

    Stage 1 · Cardiac Clearance · Hormone Therapy

    Virgie Shaw was 75 when she finally sought care for a left-breast mass she had noticed 15 months earlier. A retired licensed practical nurse, she had delayed evaluation during the COVID-19 pandemic even as the mass grew larger and painful. In April 2021…

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  4. 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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  5. 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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  6. Stage III Breast Cancer: Karol’s Patient Story

    Stage 3 · Hormone Therapy · lymphadenectomy

    Karol found a breast lump about one or two years before sharing her story. She also noticed breast enlargement and redness and was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Because the insurance system was moving too slowly to provide an appointment, she sought a…

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  7. Stage I Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Paisley’s Patient Story

    Stage 1 · Hormone Therapy · Radiation

    Paisley was attending an appointment for an unrelated neck problem when a doctor felt a lump about 4 cm above her left nipple. She had undergone mammography 3 months earlier, but dense breast tissue had obscured the tumor. Ultrasound followed by biopsy…

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  8. Stage IV Breast Cancer: Simone’s Patient Story

    Stage 4

    Simone sought medical care after developing headaches and sharp, shooting pain in her left breast. She was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer and had not yet started cancer treatment when she shared her story. The diagnosis left her overwhelmed, helpless…

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  9. 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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  10. Breast Cancer: Mary’s Patient Story

    mastectomy

    Mary sought help after experiencing dizziness and finding a rapidly growing mass in her left breast. The diagnosis left her feeling vulnerable, isolated, empty, and powerless. A cancer support organization discussed a 90% five-year survival estimate with her…

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  11. 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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  12. 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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  13. 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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  14. Stage III Breast Cancer: Valiente’s Patient Story

    Stage 3 · mastectomy · Radiation

    Valiente, a mother from Colombia, found a painless lump in her right breast. Evaluation by oncology and breast specialists, including MRI, confirmed Stage III breast cancer. The diagnosis led her to make major lifestyle changes, including exercising twice as…

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  15. Breast Cancer: Eve’s Patient Story

    Immunotherapy · lymphadenectomy

    Eve, 43, is a mother from Ireland who was diagnosed with breast cancer after finding a lump in her breast. At first, she felt neutral about the diagnosis and did not seek a second opinion. She focused on changing her diet, aiming for healthier eating 3 to 5…

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  16. 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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  17. Stage II Breast Cancer: Elsa’s Patient Story

    Stage 2 · anastrozole · Chemotherapy

    Elsa regularly examined her breasts and sought care after finding a small lump in her left breast and noticing changes in its size and shape. She was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. The news left her frightened, nervous, isolated, and powerless. Her…

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  18. Stage 0 Breast Cancer: Moira’s Survivor Story

    Stage 0 · lumpectomy · mastectomy

    Moira, from New Zealand, had stage 0 breast cancer found through routine mammography in 2022. She had no symptoms, and the diagnosis surprised her because it was her second breast-cancer diagnosis, about 10 years after the first. Despite the shock, she felt…

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  19. Stage III Breast Cancer: Veronica’s Patient Story

    Stage 3 · Hormone Therapy

    Veronica found a breast lump that felt suspicious and decided to have it checked. She was eventually diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer. The diagnosis brought fear, sadness, and a sense of being overwhelmed. She responded by changing her diet, eating more…

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  20. 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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  21. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Emily’s Patient Story

    Emily found a new breast lump that initially felt like a cyst. A mammogram appeared to show only the cyst, but ultrasound revealed a 7 mm mass behind it, and a biopsy was performed. She learned that the biopsy was not clear through an unexpected pre-operative…

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

    Stage 3 · Hormone Therapy · lymphadenectomy

    Mujer Valiente, a mother of two from Colombia, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer after fatigue and pain in her toenails and back led to repeated medical consultations. When she was initially told nothing was wrong, she arranged a mammogram and saw a…

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  23. 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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  24. 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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