HER2-positive breast cancer on hemodialysis: partial response to T-DM1 then no metabolically active disease

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

Biomarkers: Hormone receptor-positive; HER2/neu-positive; E-cadherin-positive; Ki-67 55-60%; luminal B type

As of March 2023, after 12 total cycles of T-DM1 and modified radical mastectomy, PET-CT showed no metabolically active disease, and she continued endocrine therapy and dialysis.

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Rare breast blood-vessel cancer (angiosarcoma) in a teenage girl

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female

Biomarkers: Testing for Li-Fraumeni syndrome and POT1 mutation was inconclusive; no inherited cancer predisposition was established

She remained in remission 3 years after diagnosis and continued annual MRI surveillance of the reconstructed and opposite breasts.

PubMed CentralRead more →

BRCA2 Breast Cancer: Sue's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Sue Friedman, Female, Under 40

Biomarkers: BRCA2 mutation

As of February 2023, Sue Friedman was a long-term breast cancer survivor and founder of FORCE after a BRCA2-associated breast cancer and recurrence; the video is educational and does not state current active disease, NED, or metastatic status for Sue.

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Stage II Breast Cancer: Renée's Patient Story

Patient Info: Renée, Female, Under 40 | Stage II

Biomarkers: Not genetically inherited; breast cancer linked by her team to prior doxorubicin exposure and total-body radiation

As of February 2023, Renée described stable health, working treatments, good bloodwork, and ongoing long-term hormone/anti-cancer therapy; she did not consider herself cancer-free and preferred survivor/thriver language.

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Rare breast cancer subtype that recurred years later in a more aggressive form

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: CD117 focally positive in the transformed component; high Ki-67; hormone-receptor status was unknown at the original diagnosis

Metastatic Site: lungs

One year after treatment for the late chest-wall recurrence, CT showed another local recurrence and metastatic nodules in both lungs. She chose to continue treatment elsewhere.

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Stage IV BRCA Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Langley's Patient Story

Patient Info: Langley Perer, female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: inherited BRCA mutation

Metastatic Site: brain, bones, leptomeninges

After 1 year on a PARP inhibitor, Langley’s metastatic breast cancer remained in check without progression and some lesions had begun to shrink.

Dana-FarberRead more →

Stage I Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Carol's Survivor Story

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

Carol recovered from lumpectomy for stage 1A disease and was doing well on an aromatase inhibitor, with occasional hot flashes.

Lobular Breast Cancer AllianceRead more →

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Lucy's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Lucy E., Female, Under 40

Biomarkers: BRCA1 mutation; triple-negative breast cancer

As of January 2023, Lucy had been told she was all-clear/cancer-free after chemotherapy, had undergone double mastectomy with staged reconstruction planning, and was continuing close oncology reviews every 3-4 months.

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Stage II Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Lucy's Patient Story

Patient Info: Lucy, Female, Under 40 | Stage II

Biomarkers: BRCA1 mutation; triple-negative breast cancer

As of January 2023, Lucy had gone through fertility preservation, chemotherapy, and double mastectomy for Stage II grade 3 triple-negative breast cancer with BRCA1 mutation; no NED or recurrence status was stated.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Stage II HER2-Positive Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Lanie's Patient Story

Patient Info: Lanie Jones, Female, Under 40 | Stage II

Biomarkers: HER2-positive; Li-Fraumeni syndrome / TP53 mutation; BRCA-negative

As of January 2023, Lanie was living with Li-Fraumeni syndrome after 5 cancer diagnoses and was on lifelong maintenance chemotherapy while advocating for genetic testing and specialized surveillance.

The Patient StoryRead more →

Stage II HR-Positive Breast Cancer: Becki's Patient Story

Patient Info: Becki, Female, 40s | Stage II

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

As of 2023, Becki was receiving ongoing treatment for Stage II triple-positive breast cancer after recently completing mastectomy and experiencing chemotherapy-related fatigue, hair loss, and chemo fog.

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Stage IV Breast Cancer: Adriana's Patient Story

Patient Info: Adriana, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Adriana was continuing treatment for stage 4 breast cancer and hoped for a complete response. She remained focused on her children despite substantial emotional and financial strain.

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Stage II Breast Cancer: Amanda's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Amanda, Female, 70+ | Stage II

Amanda completed breast-conserving surgery, lymph-node surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. She entered survivorship and focused on living one day at a time rather than using a specific remission label.

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Stage II Breast Cancer: Margaret's Patient Story

Patient Info: Margaret | Stage II

Margaret chose mastectomy and hormone therapy and reported no treatment side effects while remaining optimistic about recovery.

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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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Breast Cancer: Maeve's Patient Story

Patient Info: Maeve

Maeve had undergone lumpectomy, lymph-node surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapy and was focused on returning to work and being present for her family.

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Stage III Breast Cancer: Margaret's Patient Story

Patient Info: Margaret | Stage III

Margaret remained hopeful while managing severe treatment effects, sepsis, financial pressure, and reduced time with her children.

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Stage II Breast Cancer: Grace's Patient Story

Patient Info: Grace, Female, 60s | Stage II

Grace was still in treatment for Stage II breast cancer, including lumpectomy-based care, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy, and reported that treatment was working despite difficult side effects and job loss.

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Stage I Breast Cancer: Maria's Patient Story

Patient Info: Maria | Stage I

Maria had completed breast-conserving surgery and was awaiting radiation therapy at the time of her story.

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Breast Cancer: Teri's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Teri

Her cancer is in remission, and she continues hormone therapy.

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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 III Breast Cancer: Patricia's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Patricia | Stage III

Patricia was declared cancer-free in 2024 and was in remission while continuing tamoxifen.

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Stage II Breast Cancer: Alicia's Patient Story

Patient Info: Alicia, Female, 50s | Stage II

As of 2023, Alicia had undergone Stage II breast cancer treatment with mastectomy, hormone therapy, and DIEP flap reconstruction, with no treatment side effects described and a focus on recovery and wellbeing.

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Stage I Breast Cancer: Catriona's Survivor Story

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

Catriona described herself as a breast cancer survivor who had recovered after treatment and was focused on long-term wellbeing and family.

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