Stage I Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Tammy's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

Tammy McDevitt had years of normal mammograms, even though repeated letters warned that dense breast tissue could make cancer harder to detect. In September 2024, her annual screening mammogram at Cleveland Clinic found a subtle abnormality. Follow-up diagnostic mammogram and mammography-guided needle aspiration confirmed Stage I invasive lobular breast cancer. The diagnosis was surprising because Tammy had not felt a lump. She later realized she had noticed a slight change in breast shape, a warning sign she had not recognized at the time. Lobular breast cancer can be difficult to detect because it often grows in strands or webs of cells rather than forming a clear lump. Tammy’s care team moved quickly with imaging, consultations, and surgery planning. About 1 month after diagnosis, she had a partial mastectomy. The surgery removed the cancer, though the tumor was slightly larger than imaging had suggested. She then completed a targeted, week-long course of radiation. As of October 2025, Tammy had fully recovered and remained disease-free. She continued follow-up scans and visits with her medical oncologist every 3 to 6 months, with plans to reduce visit frequency over time. Because lobular breast cancer can recur years later, ongoing monitoring remains part of her care.