Stage I HR-Positive Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Mandy's Patient Story

What happened, in summary

Mandy was 44 and raising 2 children when a routine mammogram in April 2024 led to more imaging. She had recently lost about 30 pounds, so she was not alarmed when she was called back for a diagnostic mammogram on May 28. After several rounds of images, the team performed an ultrasound and then an immediate biopsy on an area that was not the original spot of concern. Three days later, Mandy learned she had invasive lobular carcinoma. A lymph node biopsy was negative, giving her hope that the cancer was contained. Because she was the 5th woman on her maternal side to develop breast cancer and the youngest at diagnosis, Mandy chose a bilateral mastectomy. She had surgery on June 25, 2024. Her Oncotype score was low, so chemotherapy was not expected to help. Genetic testing was negative for 70 known cancer-causing genes despite her strong family history. Because the cancer was estrogen- and progesterone-positive, she planned to take tamoxifen for several years, until just before age 50. As of April 2025, about 10 months after surgery, Mandy was still working through reconstructive surgeries and the emotional adjustment of seeing her body change, while feeling confident in the choice she made for her family.