Radiation for Stage 1 Breast Cancer: 54 Real Stories

Stage IIIA HR-positive HER2-negative breast cancer with radiation-induced brachial plexopathy

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

Biomarkers: HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer with pathogenic ATM and PALB2 variants plus an ATM VUS.

Approximately 3.5 years after radiation therapy, there was no evidence of breast cancer recurrence, but severe radiation-induced brachial plexopathy, fibrosis, telangiectasias, and lymphedema-related symptoms required ongoing supportive care.

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Stage I Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Jessica's Patient Story

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

Biomarkers: Myriad genetic testing negative; Oncotype DX score 19; RSClin recurrence risk 19%; isolated tumor cells around 1 sentinel lymph node without invasion

As of July 2024, Jessica had completed bilateral mastectomy for Stage IB ILC and was moving forward with radiation and long-term hormone suppression after chemotherapy was not recommended.

Lobular Breast Cancer AllianceRead more →

HER2-positive Stage I breast cancer: residual microinvasion after neoadjuvant T-DM1

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

Biomarkers: ER-negative; PR-negative; HER2-positive

No evidence of disease on follow-up after neoadjuvant T-DM1, lumpectomy/SLNB showing only residual microinvasion/DCIS, continued adjuvant T-DM1 to 17 total cycles, and 52.5 Gy radiotherapy.

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HER2-positive breast cancer: surgery after neoadjuvant therapy

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

Biomarkers: ER 1% weakly positive; PR-negative; HER2-positive

No evidence of disease on follow-up while taking anastrozole after pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant T-DM1, lumpectomy/SLNB, radiotherapy, and adjuvant trastuzumab for Stage I HER2-positive breast cancer.

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Stage I Breast Adenocarcinoma: Debbie's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Debbie Wade, Female | Stage I

As of February 2024, Debbie was cancer-free after double mastectomy, 4 weeks of radiation therapy and DIEP flap reconstruction for Stage I mucinous adenocarcinoma of the left breast, with mild left-arm lymphedema as the only reported side effect.

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Five Years Without Breast Cancer Recurrence Despite a Markedly Elevated CA 15-3

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, 70+ | Stage I

Biomarkers: ER-positive, PR-positive, HER2-positive

Five years after her Stage I breast-cancer diagnosis, breast imaging and systemic evaluation showed no evidence of recurrence. The markedly elevated CA 15-3 was traced to a separate renal tumor and normalized after nephrectomy.

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Triple-Negative Bilateral Breast Cancer Treated With Surgery, Radiation, and Oral Chemotherapy

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female | Stage I

Biomarkers: Triple-negative breast cancer; germline BRCA1 pathogenic variant confirmed later

She completed radiotherapy and 2 years of tegafur-uracil without evidence of breast-cancer recurrence.

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Stage I Breast Cancer: Shuyuan's Patient Story

Patient Info: Shuyuan | Stage I

Shuyuan is continuing radiation therapy and expects ongoing treatment and follow-up over the next 2 years.

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Stage I Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Tracy's Patient Story

Patient Info: Tracy | Stage I

Biomarkers: Triple-negative

Some time after treatment, Tracy remained worried that her triple-negative breast cancer might not go away.

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Stage I Breast Cancer: Transito's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Transito | Stage I

Transito said she was in remission after treatment and continued taking hormone medication.

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Stage I Breast Cancer: Yoyo's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Yoyo | Stage I

Yoyo said she was in remission after treatment and remained on medication.

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Stage I Breast Cancer: Gayna's Survivor Story

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

Gayna completed treatment for Stage I breast cancer and described optimism, thankfulness, permanent diet/exercise changes, and plans to stay well and enjoy life.

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Stage I Breast Cancer: Hu's Patient Story

Patient Info: Hu Jia, Female | Stage I

As of 2023, Hu Jia was in treatment for Stage I breast cancer after choosing a modified plan that excluded lymphadenectomy, while anticipating future medication costs and focusing on diet, art, reflection, and emotional resilience.

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Stage I Breast Cancer: Karen's Patient Story

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

Karen was diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer in October 2023 and was receiving ongoing chemotherapy as part of a recommended plan that also included lumpectomy and radiation therapy.

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Stage I Breast Cancer: Lauren's Patient Story

Patient Info: Lauren | Stage I

Lauren remained in active care with radiation therapy and hormone therapy ongoing.

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Stage I Breast Cancer: Anna's Survivor Story

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

As of 2022, Anna was in remission and on hormone therapy after lumpectomy, lymphadenectomy, and radiation therapy, while managing fatigue, cognitive symptoms, and lymphedema.

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Stage I Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Paisley's Patient Story

Patient Info: Paisley | Stage I

She completed surgery and radiation and remained on hormone therapy more than a year after diagnosis.

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Stage I Breast Cancer: Sanjana's Patient Story

Patient Info: Sanjana | Stage I

Sanjana says she has completed treatment and continues monthly check-ups while managing lingering concerns about menopause and the effects of therapy.

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Phrenic nerve palsy after repeated radiation for left breast cancer

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

She was discharged on room air after steroid treatment improved the hypoxia associated with right diaphragmatic weakness.

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Stage I Breast Cancer: Mariana's Patient Story

Patient Info: Mariana | Stage I

Mariana completed lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation and continued to work through fear of lasting chemotherapy effects.

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Stage I Breast Cancer: Melissa's Patient Story

Patient Info: Melissa | Stage I

Melissa was in remission and continued hormone therapy while managing fear of recurrence.

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Stage I Breast Cancer: Deborah's Patient Story

Patient Info: Deborah Brown, Female, 60s | Stage I

As of October 2020, Deborah had completed lumpectomy and 5 focused radiation treatments for Stage I breast cancer and remained on oral hormone therapy; chemotherapy was not needed and recurrence status was not otherwise stated.

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Stage I Left Breast Cancer Treated With Surgery and Radiation

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female | Stage I

Imaging in January 2019 found no evidence of breast-cancer recurrence.

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Early breast cancer followed 19 years later by a radiation-related breast sarcoma

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

Biomarkers: Strongly ER-positive; strongly PR-positive.

The stage IA breast carcinoma remained disease-free for 19 years; a later right-breast mass was a separate radiation-induced sarcoma rather than recurrent carcinoma.

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