Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Samantha's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

Samantha Salway was 34 and 14 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in January 2023. She already had 2 young children and had recently completed a 10K and a half marathon. The first questions she and her husband asked were whether the cancer was curable and whether both she and the baby could be saved. Samantha had felt soreness in her left breast after an early pregnancy ultrasound and then found a lump. Ultrasound and biopsy confirmed triple-negative breast cancer. A formal stage was not shared. Her Cleveland Clinic team designed a treatment plan that stayed as close as safely possible to standard breast cancer treatment during pregnancy. Samantha started chemotherapy while pregnant, then had a lumpectomy. She kept running with her care team’s approval and completed a 10-mile race at 26 weeks pregnant. In July 2023, Samantha and her husband welcomed a healthy baby boy, Brooks. After delivery, she had more treatment, including radiation and additional chemotherapy. Treatment sometimes left her too weak to hold her baby, but she kept rebuilding strength through walking, jogging and running. As of May 2024, Samantha had no current evidence of cancer, was being closely monitored, and was planning more races with her family beside her.