Stage III Breast Cancer: Edith's Patient Story
This breast cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Stage at diagnosis
- Stage III
- Treatment
- surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy
- Outcome
- Care Ongoing
Treatment course, step by step
- Mastectomy.
- Chemotherapy, including docetaxel, platinum agents, and antibody-drug conjugates.
- Radiation therapy.
- Hormone therapy, which remained ongoing.
- Targeted therapy.
- Immunotherapy.
What happened, in summary
Edith noticed rapid changes in the size and shape of her left breast, followed by a new lump. She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. The diagnosis left her feeling powerless, vulnerable, and guilty that she had not recognized the symptoms earlier, but confidence in her medical team helped her remain hopeful. Her recommended plan included mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, and she said she proceeded with the plan after considering medical advice and doing her own research. Chemotherapy included docetaxel, platinum agents, and antibody-drug conjugates. Treatment caused diarrhea, fatigue, and hair loss, which she managed with prescribed medication. Edith later described her breast cancer as being in remission, although hormone therapy continued. She had also begun treatment for a separate lymphoma, which was kept distinct from her breast-cancer pathway. She reduced her alcohol intake and tried to live in the moment while coping with uncertainty about whether treatment would continue to work.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by Our Cancer Stories. 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