Breast Cancer: Iria's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

Iria was 34 when she decided to stop avoiding breast screening. Her mother had developed breast cancer before age 40, and Iria had long lived with fear that it could happen to her too. In 2013, while working in health insurance, a conversation with a colleague who had a gynecology appointment pushed her to schedule a mammogram. The diagnosis brought an intense urge to move quickly and remove the tumor, but it also brought trusted doctors into her life at Hospital Gregorio Marañón. Her gynecologist and oncologist helped her feel that she was making the right decisions. Iria began using a special notebook to track everything about appointments, treatment, and the disease. Soon after diagnosis, she was offered a clinical trial with experimental therapy. It was not easy to understand, but she joined because she trusted her doctors and wanted her decision to help future patients. The hardest period was the first month, before chemotherapy began. After that came 10 months of treatment, emotionally like a roller coaster. Her mother traveled to Madrid to accompany her during cycles, while coworkers, music, dancing at home, and sewing helped her stay steady through treatment and recovery.