Stage II Breast Cancer: Jenna's Patient Story
This breast cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Stage at diagnosis
- Stage II
- Biomarkers
- Hormone receptor-positive; HER2-negative; BRCA inherited gene mutations negative
- Sex
- Female
- Treatment
- chemotherapy, surgery and hormone therapy
- Outcome
- Care Ongoing
Treatment course, step by step
- At 28 weeks pregnant, right breast lump led to ultrasound and biopsy
- Stage II HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer; BRCA inherited gene mutations negative
- lymph-node involvement suspected
- oncologist initially recommended 3 chemotherapy rounds during pregnancy; second opinion supported starting with 2 rounds plus weekly hydration
- chemotherapy during pregnancy, including Taxol allergic reaction
- after chemotherapy, surgery confirmed cancer in just 1 lymph node
- double mastectomy chosen; radiation not needed
- hormone therapy planned for 10 years.
What happened, in summary
Jenna was 28 weeks pregnant when she felt a lump in her right breast while putting on lotion after a shower. She first wondered if it could be a clogged milk duct or cyst, but she contacted her OB. An ultrasound led to biopsy, and the results confirmed Stage II hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. She had no family history and tested negative for inherited BRCA mutations. Because the cancer was thought to be in her lymph nodes, treatment needed to start before delivery. One oncologist recommended 3 rounds of chemotherapy during pregnancy; a second opinion said she could begin with 2 rounds and weekly hydration. Jenna was frightened about exposing her baby to chemotherapy, but her team reassured her that the baby would be monitored closely. During treatment, she had an allergic reaction to Taxol. After completing chemotherapy, she had surgery. Pathology confirmed cancer in just 1 lymph node, so radiation was not needed. Jenna chose a double mastectomy rather than lumpectomy because she wanted to reduce worry about recurrence. As of April 2026, she was on hormone therapy planned for 10 years while rebuilding life with a newborn, a toddler, and a changed sense of identity.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by Susan G. Komen. 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