Stage I Breast Cancer: Krista's Patient Story
This breast cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Stage at diagnosis
- Stage I
- Biomarkers
- ATM mutation; hormone receptor-positive; HER2-negative; Oncotype DX score 1
- Sex
- Female
- Treatment
- surveillance, surgery, reconstruction and hormone therapy
- Outcome
- Care Ongoing
Treatment course, step by step
- Family ATM mutation identified after her mother had breast cancer twice
- Krista tested positive for the same ATM mutation and entered high-risk screening with alternating mammogram and breast MRI every 6 months
- MRI found an abnormality despite normal mammogram; ultrasound, diagnostic mammogram, and biopsy confirmed breast cancer 2 weeks before planned preventive surgery
- double mastectomy with flap reconstruction on January 30, followed by a second surgery in April
- Oncotype DX score 1, so chemotherapy was avoided
- tamoxifen planned for 5 years, with exercise encouraged to manage side effects.
What happened, in summary
Krista’s breast cancer journey began with her mother’s history. Her mother had breast cancer twice and later learned she carried a pathogenic ATM mutation. After her mother died, Krista chose genetic testing and found that she carried the same mutation, giving her a high lifetime risk of breast cancer. She began intensive screening with mammograms and breast MRIs alternating every 6 months while also considering preventive surgery. A routine mammogram looked normal, but breast MRI found an abnormality. Follow-up ultrasound and diagnostic mammogram did not look highly concerning, but Krista pushed for biopsy because the finding could affect her surgical plan. Two weeks before her planned preventive procedure, the biopsy confirmed Stage IA breast cancer. She already had a team in place, so she moved forward with double mastectomy and flap reconstruction on January 30, followed by a second surgery in April. Her cancer was hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative. Her Oncotype DX score was 1, so chemotherapy was avoided. Instead, her oncology plan included tamoxifen for 5 years, along with daily exercise to help manage side effects. As of May 2025, Krista was early in tamoxifen treatment and using her experience as a nurse, patient advocate, and nutrition student to help others make informed choices.
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