Surgery for Breast Cancer: 559 Real Stories
559 stories match breast cancer and surgery. 392 of them mention chemotherapy.
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Keely’s Patient Story
Keely first felt a lump in her left breast on March 4, 2023, while away for her daughter’s soccer tournament. She had never routinely checked her breasts, but that night she felt strongly prompted to do so. On April 17, biopsy results confirmed poorly…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Joanne’s Patient Story
Six years after Joanne Sabol was diagnosed with lung cancer, she faced a second primary cancer when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent 2 lumpectomies and was recovering well after the breast surgeries. Her breast cancer experience occurred…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Stefanie’s Patient Story
Stefanie London was diagnosed with breast cancer without a family history of the disease. The diagnosis was difficult to absorb, and the prospect of surgery felt especially daunting because her previous hospital experiences had been related to psychiatric…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Tracey’s Patient Story
Tracey learned she had breast cancer after her first mammogram. She had not noticed cancer symptoms before screening. The diagnosis made both Tracey and her husband extremely nervous, especially because breast and pancreatic cancer were present in her family…
Read this storyStage II Breast Cancer: Rocio’s Survivor Story
Rocio was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer after noticing a non-healing scab on her right nipple along with nipple discharge, redness, irritation and thickening of the breast. She felt that her first doctor did not give her enough information, so she…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Rosa’s Survivor Story
Rosa sought a second opinion after a breast lump and redness and swelling led to her cancer diagnosis. Following her doctor's recommendation, she underwent a lumpectomy to remove the tumor, followed by chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormone therapy. She…
Read this storyStage I Breast Cancer: Sofia’s Survivor Story
Sofia experienced burning pain in both breasts for about two years before her diagnosis. An early examination did not identify a clear problem. When the pain returned, mammography, ultrasound and MRI were performed, and ultrasound showed two cysts in the…
Read this storyStage III Breast Cancer: Sol’s Patient Story
Sol had a family history of cancer and sought testing while her sister was undergoing treatment. She was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer after also noticing lumps in her breast. Feeling that she had not received enough information at first, she sought…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Sonia’s Survivor Story
Sonia first noticed burning pain in her breast and a lump that gradually became larger and harder. She went to a general medicine clinic, where a mammogram was ordered. She later had a breast ultrasound that identified the tumor. Because she felt the first…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Sumita’s Patient Story
Sumita found a lump in the breast and struggled to accept the diagnosis of breast cancer. The news felt unreal and left Sumita disillusioned, frightened and angry. Doctors initially recommended a lumpectomy together with hormone therapy and targeted therapy…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Susannah’s Patient Story
Susannah describes the breast cancer journey as frightening and isolating. Fear, helplessness, nervousness and worry were especially intense because treatment began during the COVID period, leaving Susannah largely alone through the experience. Doctors…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Renacer’s Survivor Story
Renacer sought medical attention after developing severe breast pain, a lump, and bloody discharge from the nipple. The diagnosis brought fear, worry, and a sense of helplessness. After diagnosis, Renacer exercised more often and ate healthier meals on most…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Riley’s Patient Story
Riley found a lump in the lower part of the left breast that became increasingly painful and prompted a specialist consultation. After diagnosis, Riley reduced alcohol use and tried to eat healthier meals 3 to 5 days a week, although exercise became more…
Read this storyStage II Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Nahilys’s Patient Story
Nahilys had previously experienced thyroid cancer when, one year later, she was diagnosed with stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer. A niece had also had breast cancer. Nahilys sought a second opinion from a more experienced doctor and approached the new…
Read this storyStage IV Breast Cancer: Nathalie’s Patient Story
Nathalie, a homemaker and mother of two from Colombia, had been living with stage 4 breast cancer for more than three years. A strong family history prompted her to seek evaluation after noticing changes in breast shape and areas of thickening. Several…
Read this storyStage II Breast Cancer: Nelly’s Patient Story
Nelly, from Colombia, sought medical care after noticing a change in the shape of her breast and a lump. She was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and felt frightened, nervous, vulnerable, and worried about what the illness would mean for her family. Her…
Read this storyStage II Breast Cancer: Erika’s Patient Story
Erika developed painful, sore breasts with small bumps and was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. The diagnosis was frightening and left her nervous, worried, and overwhelmed. Her initial recommendation included mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy…
Read this storyStage II Breast Cancer: Graciela’s Patient Story
Graciela’s cancer journey began more than three years before her story, after pain and inflammation led her to seek medical care. She also had a family history of cancer affecting uncles and cousins. She was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and responded…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Manisha’s Patient Story
Manisha’s initial doctors recommended lumpectomy and mastectomy, but she felt the first approach was not effective and wanted to hear more options. She sought a second opinion and changed hospitals. At the new hospital, she chose lumpectomy, immunotherapy…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Martha’s Patient Story
Martha learned that she had breast cancer after attending a breast ultrasound. Her doctors recommended mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, and she chose to proceed with all three treatments. Treatment brought hair loss, loss of appetite, and…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Mery’s Patient Story
Mery, from Colombia, learned she had breast cancer during a medical checkup and examination. The diagnosis left her grieving, confused, isolated, and powerless, and she sought a second opinion before deciding on treatment. Her care included mastectomy…
Read this storyStage II Breast Cancer: Mia’s Patient Story
Mia sought medical attention after developing breast pain and severe fatigue and was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. The news brought anger, fear, sadness, surprise, and a sense of vulnerability. She did not seek a second opinion. Her treatment included…
Read this storyStage II Breast Cancer: Mina’s Survivor Story
Mina had no symptoms when a mammogram found a tumor during health checks arranged in her final month of job-based insurance. She was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and felt frightened, helpless, and worried. The original treatment plan included…
Read this storyStage II Breast Cancer: Lily’s Patient Story
Lily discovered a suspicious breast lump during a self-examination and sought medical evaluation. She was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. The news made it difficult for her to focus, and she responded by changing her diet and exercising more. Her…
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