Stage I Gastric Cancer: Marne's Patient Story
This gastric cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Stage at diagnosis
- Stage I
- Biomarkers
- CDH1 gene mutation
- Sex
- Female
- Treatment
- surgery
Treatment course, step by step
- Underwent a prophylactic total gastrectomy, which removed the Stage I cancer discovered during the procedure.
What happened, in summary
Marne Shafer was 33 when genetic testing showed that she carried a CDH1 mutation after several relatives, including her father, grandmother and aunt, died from stomach cancer. Because early stomach cancer can be difficult to detect in people with this mutation, she chose a preventive total gastrectomy.
The surgery brought an unexpected finding: Marne already had Stage I stomach cancer, which was removed during the procedure. Her early recovery included nearly 2 months with a feeding tube and careful work to get enough protein and other nutrients. She gradually learned to eat several small meals and adapt to having her esophagus connected directly to her small intestine.
Running became an important marker of recovery. Within months, she began training again, and 3 years after her gastrectomy she completed the Chevron Houston Marathon, finishing only 1 minute slower than her previous personal record. She also began sharing practical advice with other people living without a stomach.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by MD Anderson. 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