Stage IV Breast Cancer: Brittney's Patient Story

What happened, in summary

Brittney Beadle was 18 and still in high school when she found a lump in her right breast in February 2015. An ultrasound and mammogram showed a mass, but she was told that 18-year-olds did not get breast cancer. Three months later, the lump had grown and her nipple inverted. A biopsy confirmed breast cancer on May 6, 2015. At first, Brittney was told it was early-stage disease. About 1 week later, on the day of her senior prom, she had a double mastectomy. After surgery, lymph-node involvement changed the stage to Stage III. A PET scan about 1 month later showed that the cancer had already spread, making it Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Over the next 8 years, Brittney went through many lines of treatment. Radiation was discussed early, but she says she never had to receive it. Her metastatic disease involved her bones and liver, later her brain, and most recently her lungs. After lung progression, she started ENHERTU, an infusion every 21 days that caused fatigue for about 10 days after treatment. As of August 2023, Brittney was still receiving scans every 3 to 4 months. Her brain had been clear for 4.5 years, her liver was clear, and her bones and lungs were showing regression.