Stage II Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Cynthia's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

Cynthia Jordan never missed her annual mammogram, but dense breast tissue made her cancer difficult to find. In 2018, a mammogram showed an architectural distortion, and follow-up imaging and biopsy led to a diagnosis of Stage IIB invasive ductal carcinoma. Her doctors told her the tumor may have been growing for about 5 years. She had no family history of breast cancer and did not feel sick, which made the diagnosis even harder to process. Cynthia chose to have both breasts removed. After surgery, atypical hyperplasia, or precancerous cells, was found in the breast that had seemed healthy. Cancer was also found in a sentinel lymph node, though the amount was described as very small, so she received 25 rounds of radiation. She did not need chemotherapy. Radiation ended at the end of January, after surgery on October 16, and she continued normal follow-up with her breast surgeon. Recovery brought lasting physical effects, including tight scars, phantom nerve pain, stiffness, and a severe new skin allergy to fragrance. As of June 2023, Cynthia was about 4 years into survivorship and using Learn Look Locate to teach others about dense breasts, supplemental screening, self-advocacy, and the emotional reality of breast cancer.