Stage I Breast Cancer: Iris's Survivor Story
This breast cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Stage at diagnosis
- Stage I
- Biomarkers
- 100% hormone-dependent; genetic testing negative at age 43
- Sex
- Female
- Treatment
- surgery and complementary therapy
- Outcome
- Cancer-Free / NED
Treatment course, step by step
- February 2021 diagnosis of 100% hormone-dependent breast cancer after MRI found a tumor missed on mammogram/ultrasound
- March 2021 surgery to remove the tumor
- re-operation 15 days later because 1 mm of affected tissue remained
- recommended 25 radiation sessions and 5 years of hormone therapy, but patient chose a metabolic approach instead
- garcinia cambodgia plus sodium alpha-lipoic acid for 1 year, 3 artemisinin cycles spaced 3 weeks apart then every 2 months, diet changes inspired by ketogenic eating, DIM supplement; latest examinations showed no trace of cancer.
What happened, in summary
Iris was in her 50s when she was diagnosed with 100% hormone-dependent breast cancer in February 2021. Because her mother had died of ovarian cancer and her aunt had breast cancer, Iris had already taken prevention seriously. Genetic testing at 43 had been negative, and at 45 she had both ovaries and fallopian tubes removed to reduce risk. She continued yearly mammography, ultrasound, and breast MRI. In January 2021, mammography and ultrasound did not show the tumor, which was near the sternum at the edge of the breast, but MRI found it 1 week later. Iris chose surgery to remove the tumor in March 2021. The operation went well, but 15 days later she needed another procedure because 1 mm of affected tissue remained. Her team then recommended 25 radiation sessions followed by 5 years of hormone therapy. Iris became uncomfortable with that plan and chose a metabolic approach with association support. She used garcinia cambodgia, sodium alpha-lipoic acid, artemisinin cycles, diet changes inspired by ketogenic eating, and DIM. She also focused on yoga, meditation, psychology, stress reduction, and physical activity. Later examinations showed no trace of cancer, and Iris continued to focus on lifestyle, monitoring, and rebuilding trust in her body.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by Cancer et Métabolisme. 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