Surgery for Breast Cancer: 559 Real Stories
559 stories match breast cancer and surgery. 392 of them mention chemotherapy.
Stage III Breast Cancer: Antonia’s Survivor Story
Antonia was 39 and raising 2 children when she noticed a protruding mass in her breast, along with irritation and swelling. She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. The news left her frightened, confused and overwhelmed, with a strong sense of…
Read this storyStage I Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Paisley’s Patient Story
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…
Read this storyStage III Breast Cancer: Aalia’s Survivor Story
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…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Tessa’s Patient Story
Tessa’s breast cancer was detected during a routine mammogram, when a small tumor measuring about 12 mm was found. The diagnosis came as a surprise, especially because Tessa was caring for an elderly mother at the time and felt there was little space in life…
Read this storyStage II Breast Cancer: Elsa’s Patient Story
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…
Read this storyStage 0 Breast Cancer: Jacqueline’s Survivor Story
Jacqueline, 52, is from Ireland and was diagnosed with Stage 0 breast cancer after taking part in a sleep apnea study. A PET scan from the study picked up an abnormality. At first, she was told it was a papilloma cyst, but it turned out to be Stage 0 breast…
Read this storyStage II Breast Cancer: Martha’s Patient Story
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…
Read this storyStage I Breast Cancer: Anna’s Survivor Story
Anna, 51, noticed a lump and a change in the shape of one breast before being diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer. The diagnosis brought fear, grief, isolation, and financial stress. Her first oncologist recommended lumpectomy, lymphadenectomy, chemotherapy…
Read this storyStage II Breast Cancer: Cristina’s Patient Story
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…
Read this storyStage II Breast Cancer: Sarah’s Survivor Story
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…
Read this storyStage III Breast Cancer: Diana’s Survivor Story
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…
Read this storyStage II Breast Cancer: Martha’s Patient Story
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…
Read this storyStage III Breast Cancer: Valiente’s Patient Story
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…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Siti’s Patient Story
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…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Eve’s Patient Story
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…
Read this storyStage III Breast Cancer: Ada’s Survivor Story
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…
Read this storyStage II Breast Cancer: Liliana’s Patient Story
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…
Read this storyStage 0 Breast Cancer: Moira’s Survivor Story
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…
Read this storyStage III Breast Cancer: Katie’s Survivor Story
Katie Robb Sewall was 27 when a double mastectomy in 2014 changed what she thought was stage 0 breast cancer into a Stage III diagnosis. Pathology showed the cancer had spread from the breast ducts into lymph nodes. Katie and her husband, Craig, had to move…
Read this storyStage III Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Jacque’s Patient Story
Jacque, an academic advisor and mother of 2 grown children, found a hard, gritty, annoying lump under her left arm and breast in 2019. Her OB-GYN agreed it should be checked, but a mammogram and ultrasound were initially reassuring, and the radiologist told…
Read this storyBRCA Breast Cancer: Christie’s Patient Story
Christie Siebel learned through genetic testing that she carried a BRCA mutation after breast cancer had affected other members of her family. At age 30, shortly after the birth of her daughter, she noticed a breast lump while breastfeeding. A biopsy showed…
Read this storyTriple-Negative Breast Cancer: Sandra’s Survivor Story
Sandra Monsonís was 43 and had not had a medical checkup for more than 5 years when a friend encouraged her to see a gynecologist. She had some breast discomfort but did not feel a clear lump. That visit found a lump that became a triple-negative breast…
Read this storyStage III Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Martha’s Survivor Story
Martha had a dense area in her right breast that worried her throughout her 40s. Multiple mammograms over about 10 years were read as benign. At 49, another mammogram and an ultrasound were also considered benign, but Martha consulted a surgeon who agreed the…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Kathleen’s Survivor Story
Kathleen Shaffer was diagnosed with right breast cancer in early 2019. She had a lumpectomy and 2 lymph nodes removed in March, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. After finishing cancer treatment, she expected to move forward, but new pain and swelling…
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