What happened, in summary

Kara Niewohner was 43 when a right-breast lump led to a diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer with a BRCA2 mutation in 2021. She began a planned 16-session chemotherapy course, but treatment stopped after 4 sessions because her bilirubin was elevated and her oncologist was concerned about possible liver injury. Kara has Gilbert's syndrome, which can also raise bilirubin, so she sought a second opinion about whether further chemotherapy would be safe or necessary. She proceeded with a double mastectomy in September 2021. The surgery found no trace of remaining breast cancer, and she did not need radiation or additional breast-cancer treatment. One month later, Kara celebrated by running the virtual Boston Marathon. Because the BRCA2 mutation also increased her ovarian-cancer risk, she later chose risk-reducing removal of her ovaries and fallopian tubes. Kara continued distance running and described the experience as proof that serious illness did not have to end the active life she had built.