Stage IV BRCA2 Breast Cancer: Lisa's Patient Story

Patient Info: Lisa Quinn, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Inherited BRCA2 mutation

Metastatic Site: bone, liver

Lisa Quinn died on August 30, 2021, after sharing her experience with metastatic breast cancer and advocating for cancer research funding.

Stage III Breast Cancer: Christine's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Christine Cosby | Stage III

At the latest report, there was no sign of cancer in Christine’s body and she had recovered enough to return to work part time.

Stage IV Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Eva's Patient Story

Patient Info: Eva Joseph | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Triple-negative

Metastatic Site: lungs, sternum

On ongoing atezolizumab plus nab-paclitaxel, Eva’s lung and sternum tumors became very small and were being kept at bay while she felt well enough to enjoy short trips.

Stage IV Breast Cancer: Kirby's Patient Story

Patient Info: Kirby Lewis, Male | Stage IV

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

Metastatic Site: lung|spine

Kirby was living with metastatic breast cancer, and his most recent scans showed the right-lung tumor was stable with no signs of progression while he continued fulvestrant and palbociclib.

Triple-negative breast cancer developing beside a large breast cyst

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

Biomarkers: ER negative; PR negative; HER2 negative; Ki-67 >50%; p53 negative for overexpression, triple negative

She recovered after treatment with no clinical evidence of regional or distant recurrence.

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A second breast cancer arising in a previously known cyst

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 70+

Biomarkers: ER >95% positive; PR >95% positive; HER2 negative; Ki-67 11–50%; p53 negative for overexpression

She completed right-breast radiation and was continuing anastrozole 1 mg daily as adjuvant endocrine therapy.

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Small hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer found incidentally on chest CT

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 70+

Biomarkers: ER 95% positive; PR 70% positive; HER2 negative; Ki-67 11–50%; p53 negative for overexpression

She was receiving adjuvant breast radiation, with at least 5 years of anastrozole planned afterward.

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Multifocal ductal carcinoma in situ presenting with breast discharge and a lump

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 50s

Biomarkers: ER >80% positive and PR >80% positive on initial biopsy; ER >95% positive on mastectomy specimen; p53 negative for overexpression

She was recovering after mastectomy with clear margins and 0/2 nodes involved, with endocrine therapy still to be discussed.

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Encapsulated papillary breast cancer in a 62-year-old man

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 60s

Biomarkers: ER 95% positive; PR 95% positive; HER2 negative; Ki-67 11–50%; p53 negative for overexpression; hereditary cancer panel negative for reported pathogenic mutations including BRCA1 and PALB2

Mastectomy removed a 2.4 cm encapsulated papillary carcinoma with clear margins and 0/3 sentinel nodes involved; systemic adjuvant therapy was not recommended.

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Stage III Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Ximena's Patient Story

Patient Info: Ximena Nardelli, Female, 40s | Stage III

Biomarkers: Hormone receptor-positive

As of February 2020, Ximena had completed mastectomy, 16 chemotherapy sessions, and 21 radiation treatments for Stage III hormone-positive invasive ductal carcinoma and was continuing planned 5-year hormone therapy.

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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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Dramatic chemotherapy response in stage IIIB triple-negative breast cancer

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 40s | Stage III

Biomarkers: ER-negative; PR-negative; HER2-negative; BRCA1-negative; BRCA2-negative; germline FLCN c.1285delC associated with Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome; tumor TP53 p.T150fs.

Eighteen months after surgery, she had no recurrence following a dramatic chemotherapy response, bilateral mastectomy, chest-wall radiation, and adjuvant capecitabine.

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Stage IV Breast Cancer: Dan's Patient Story

Patient Info: Dan DiNardo, Male, 40s | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Left femoral ball/hip; spine; lymph nodes; chest

As of January 2020, Dan was living with metastatic recurrent male breast cancer on ongoing hormone-blocking therapy plus a CDK4/6 inhibitor after surgery and hip radiation; his cancer had shown no growth for 1 year.

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Breast Cancer: Constance's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Constance Porter, Female

As of January 2020, Constance was cancer-free 3 years after breast cancer diagnosis, while living with permanent hair loss, joint pain from anastrozole, and occasional leg cramps.

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ER-negative left breast cancer treated with mastectomy and chemotherapy

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 70+

Biomarkers: ER-negative; HER2-negative.

Her later cancer care centered on a separate right-breast primary diagnosed in 2008 and its subsequent metastatic course.

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Metastatic ER-positive breast cancer complicated by osteonecrosis of the jaw

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

Biomarkers: ER-positive.

Metastatic Site: bone (sternum, spine, pelvis, and proximal femur)

After progressive metastatic bone disease and severe medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, she entered end-of-life care and died three weeks after discharge to a nursing home.

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Stage II Breast Cancer: Marese's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Marese | Stage II

Marese said the breast cancer was in remission after completing active treatment, and she continued hormone therapy to help maintain remission.

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N

Patient Info: N | Stage I

Biomarkers: No inherited BRCA variant identified.

N completed lumpectomy and radiation and continued hormone therapy while adjusting to life after treatment.

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Stage I Breast Cancer: Susanna's Patient Story

Patient Info: Susanna | Stage I

Susanna was diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer after noticing a swollen breast and completed lumpectomy and chemotherapy while working to preserve normal life and relationships.

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Stage II Breast Cancer: Catherine's Survivor Story

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

As of 2020, Catherine had completed lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy for Stage II breast cancer and was in remission, while managing fatigue, hair loss, and peripheral neuropathy.

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Stage II Breast Cancer: Cherie's Survivor Story

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

Cherie completed treatment and described herself as being in remission. She remained concerned about recurrence but shifted her focus toward family and retirement.

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Stage II Breast Cancer: Jaidive's Survivor Story

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

Jaidive was declared cancer-free on 11 November 2021 after lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and tamoxifen/hormone therapy for Stage II breast cancer, while continuing specialist appointments and medication.

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Stage I Breast Cancer: Cindy's Survivor Story

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

More than 3 years after diagnosis, Cindy had completed treatment and no longer required medication. She continued to worry about relapse but felt hopeful about the future.

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Breast Cancer: Serena's Patient Story

Patient Info: Serena

Serena completed surgery and radiation and is currently undergoing hormone therapy.

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