Stage I Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Susan's Patient Story
This breast cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Stage at diagnosis
- Stage I
- Subtype
- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
- Biomarkers
- ER 100% positive; HER2-negative; progesterone receptor result not reported; multigene testing pending
- Sex
- Female
- Treatment
- surgery, genetic testing and supportive care
- Outcome
- Care Ongoing
Treatment course, step by step
- Breast surgery removed the known tumor; final pathology was still pending.
- A 74-gene blood panel was sent, and she used nutrition counseling and individual counseling as supportive care.
- Radiation, chemotherapy, and long-term endocrine therapy were being considered based on final pathology but had not yet been confirmed.
What happened, in summary
Susan had continued annual breast examinations and mammograms because of dense breasts. A July mammogram was read as normal, but in October she felt a new lump in her left breast. A repeat 3-D mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy found invasive ductal carcinoma. The cancer was 100% estrogen-receptor positive and HER2-negative. Her surgeon described it as Stage I, possibly Stage II, with lymph nodes appearing unremarkable on ultrasound and MRI.
Susan pushed to complete a bilateral breast MRI before meeting the surgeon so that the treatment discussion would include as much information as possible. She then underwent breast surgery to remove the known tumor. Final pathology was still needed to clarify the stage and recurrence risk. Radiation was expected if the risk was low, while chemotherapy would be considered if pathology showed higher risk; long-term estrogen-blocking therapy was also anticipated. A 74-gene blood panel was sent for hereditary-risk assessment.
While waiting for the next decisions, Susan used nutrition counseling, exercise, visualization, and counseling to manage fear and regain a sense of control. She also became more direct about breast awareness, encouraging women to learn what is normal for their own bodies and to seek further evaluation when something changes, even after recent reassuring imaging.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by breastcancer.org. 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