Stage II Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Italia's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

Italia Russell was 30 when she found a breast lump in August 2023, 1 month after learning she carried a BRCA mutation that increased her lifetime breast cancer risk. Her mother had been treated 15 years earlier for Stage II triple-negative breast cancer and had also tested positive for BRCA, so Italia knew she wanted care at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital. She traveled from Freeport, Grand Bahama, to Florida for mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy. On September 19, 2023, Italia was diagnosed with Stage II triple-negative breast cancer. She stayed near Weston with an aunt while receiving chemotherapy from October 2023 through April 2024. Because treatment weakened her immune system, she could not fly home to see her husband and family during that period. In May 2024, she had a double mastectomy to remove unhealthy breast tissue. During the same operation, she had a Goldilocks reconstruction, which uses remaining healthy skin and fat to shape the breast area. Italia also received immunotherapy as part of her care and still had 3 infusions left as of the story update. Her body responded well to chemotherapy: by the time of surgery, the tumor was gone. As of October 2024, Italia had no evidence of disease and was encouraging others to complete recommended genetic testing.