What happened, in summary

Brenda first found a breast lump in 2017, when she was in her early 40s. She was told it was a cyst, while an area of calcification seen on mammography was monitored every 6 months for the next 5 years.

During a mammogram in May 2022, the area believed to be a cyst ruptured and caused severe pain. A week later, Brenda told her family doctor that the breast tissue felt different, but the mammogram was considered clear and another study was planned for 6 months later. As that appointment approached, Brenda returned because she wanted a different type of test. Her doctor then agreed that the breast did not look right and referred her to a specialist, who ordered a biopsy.

On November 28, 2022, Brenda learned at age 49 that she had invasive lobular carcinoma. Imaging before surgery substantially underestimated the extent of the disease. The mastectomy specimen showed a 10 cm tumor, and 6 of 8 lymph nodes contained cancer.

Brenda went on to receive chemotherapy and radiation. She also had an oophorectomy and began ongoing treatment with anastrozole and a CDK4/6 inhibitor. Connecting with other people affected by lobular breast cancer helped her feel less isolated and gave her information she could use to ask more focused questions about her care.