Stage 0 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Erica's Survivor Story
This breast cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Stage at diagnosis
- Stage 0
- Subtype
- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
- Biomarkers
- BRCA1/2-negative
- Sex
- Female
- Treatment
- surgery and reconstruction
- Outcome
- Cancer-Free / NED
Treatment course, step by step
- Chose double mastectomy for Stage 0 DCIS
- Surgery included nipple removal and lymph-node tissue testing
- Reconstruction used under-muscle tissue expanders with staged saline expansion
- Later treatment included implant exchange, scar care, and 3D nipple tattoos
- Lumpectomy, hormone therapy, radiation, and chemotherapy were discussed but not chosen or received in the source.
What happened, in summary
Erica Newbert Campbell was diagnosed with Stage 0 ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS, in 2018 after years of anxious breast imaging. Her mother had died of breast cancer more than 20 years earlier, so Erica had been on high alert even though genetic testing showed she was not BRCA-positive. Over about 10 years, mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs repeatedly found areas that required follow-up. Eventually, calcifications led to her first biopsy, which showed DCIS.
The diagnosis came with many choices. Erica was offered options ranging from close monitoring and lumpectomy to hormone therapy, radiation, chemotherapy, and mastectomy. Because of her mother’s history and her own fear of recurrence, she chose a double mastectomy.
Her surgery removed both breasts and nipples, and lymph-node tissue was tested. She also chose reconstruction. Temporary expanders were placed under the chest muscles, then slowly filled with saline over several months. Later, she had another surgery to exchange the expanders for permanent implants. She also used scar care, laser treatment, mental-health therapy, and eventually 3D nipple tattoos as part of recovery.
As of June 2024, Erica described both her body and mind as cancer-free. She now uses her experience to support other patients and families facing cancer.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by The Patient Story. Read the original in full
How we source and attribute stories Accuracy and limitations
These are lay summaries of published cancer stories, for information only. No two cancers behave the same way, and nothing here predicts your own diagnosis or replaces advice from your oncology team. Read the full disclaimer