Breast Cancer Stories

Breast cancer is the second most commonly-diagnosed cancer in women after skin cancer, and the second leading cancer cause of death in women. While cases of breast cancer are most commonly carcinomas, less common types include Paget’s disease, inflammatory, and connective tissue.

Patients share their breast cancer stories on:

Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) – a form of cancer where abnormal cells begin growing in the lining of the milk ducts and invade breast tissue beyond the walls of the ducts.
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) – a noninvasive form of breast cancer where cancer cells start in the lining of a breast duct and have not spread to surrounding tissues
IDC & DCIS – a combination of both forms of breast cancer.
Previvor BRCA2 – A mutation that indicates a high risk of breast cancer.

Table Of Contents

Advancements in Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment
Breast Cancer 101
Breast Cancer Patient Stories
Breast Cancer Resources
Breast Cancer Oncologists & Experts
Navigating Life With Cancer

Advancements in Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment

Patient advocate Abigail Johnston sits down with Dr. Neil Vasan of Columbia University to break down the newest advances in metastatic breast cancer treatment, including promising therapies. Real talk, real hope—straight from the front lines.

? Check out what’s new in Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment – 2025

Breast Cancer 101

We’ve pulled together information on breast cancer basics from multiple leading sources, including the National Cancer Institute, along with supporting stories from our breast cancer patients, caregivers, and medical experts. Learn more about the second most common cancer in women.

Breast Cancer Patient Stories

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Stories

Amelia L., IDC, Stage 1, ER/PR+, HER2-

Symptom: Lump found during self breast exam

Treatments: TC chemotherapy; lumpectomy, double mastectomy, reconstruction; Tamoxifen

Rachel Y., IDC, Stage 1B

Symptoms: None; caught by delayed mammogram

Treatments: Double mastectomy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, hormone therapy Tamoxifen

Rach D., IDC, Stage 2, Triple Positive

Symptom: Lump in right breast

Treatments: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, double mastectomy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy

Caitlin J., IDC, Stage 2B, ER/PR+

Symptom: Lump found on breast

Treatments: Lumpectomy, AC/T chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy (Lupron & Anastrozole)

Joy R., IDC, Stage 2, Triple Negative

Symptom: Lump in breast

Treatments: Chemotherapy, double mastectomy, hysterectomy

Triple Negative (TNBC) Stories

Maggie C., Triple-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer, PD-L1+

Symptoms: Bruising sensation in the breast, soft lump

Treatments: Chemotherapy, clinical trial (antibody-drug conjugate and immunotherapy)

April D., Triple-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer, BRCA1+

Symptom: Four lumps on the side of the left breast

Treatments: Chemotherapy (carboplatin, paclitaxel doxorubicin, surgery (double mastectomy), radiation (proton therapy), PARP inhibitors

Chance O., Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Stage 2, BRCA1+

Symptom: Lump on breast
Treatments: Chemotherapy (doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, paclitaxel, carboplatin), surgery (double mastectomy), radiation, radical hysterectomy (preventive)

Kelly T., Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Stage 3C

Symptoms: Swollen lymph nodes on the neck, high white blood count
Treatments: Chemotherapy (doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, paclitaxel, carboplatin, capecitabine), surgery (nipple-sparing, skin-sparing double mastectomy), radiation, hormone therapy (tamoxifen)

Lucy E., Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Grade 3, BRCA1+

Symptom: Lump in breast

Treatments: Chemotherapy, surgery (double mastectomy)

Melissa H., Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Stage 2B, IDC

Symptom: Lump in left breast

Treatments: Surgery (mastectomy), chemotherapy

Melissa is the founder of Cancer Fashionista

Melissa B., Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Stage 1

Symptom: Pea-sized lump

Treatments: Chemotherapy, surgeries (bilateral mastectomy, reconstruction)

Stephanie J., Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Stage 3, Grade 3, IDC, BRCA1+

Symptom: Lump in left breast

Treatments: Chemotherapy, surgery (double mastectomy, oophorectomy, hysterectomy, breast reconstruction)

Susan shares her recurrent breast cancer and Parkinson's story with us

Susan S., Recurrent Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, ER+, PR+
Symptoms: Lump, twisted and caved-in nipple

Treatments: Surgery (double mastectomy, lumpectomy), radiation, chemotherapy

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Stories

Erica C., DCIS, Stage 0

Symptoms: Indeterminate calcifications found on a routine mammogram
Treatment: Double mastectomy

Margaret A., IDC & DCIS, Stage 2B

Symptoms: Pain in left breast, left nipple inverting

Treatments: Double mastectomy, chemotherapy (AC-T), radiation

Alison R., Partially Differentiated DCIS, Stage 4 Metastatic

Symptom: Lump in underarm/breast

Treatments: Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, targeted therapy

IDC & DCIS Stories

Tina C., DCIS & LCIS, Stage 3A, ER+

Symptom: Sunken in nipple of right breast

Treatments: Double mastectomy, chemotherapy (AC-T), radiation, hormone therapy (tamoxifen, Zoladex)

Natalie W., DCIS, Stage 0, ER+; Paget’s Disease

Symptom: Lump in right breast

Treatments: Lumpectomy, double subcutaneous mastectomy, hormone therapy (tamoxifen)

Margaret A., IDC & DCIS, Stage 2B

Symptoms: Pain in left breast, left nipple inverting

Treatments: Double mastectomy, chemotherapy (AC-T), radiation

LaShae R., IDC & DCIS, Stage 2B, ER+

Symptoms: Lump in breast, pain
Treatments: Chemotherapy (Taxotere and cyclophosphamide), proton radiation

Dee D., Metastatic Breast Cancer, IDC & DCIS, ER+

Symptoms: Inability to produce milk on the left breast while breastfeeding, breast pain (palpable and radiating to the back), lumps in the breast and armpit

Treatments: Chemotherapy (AC-T), surgery (bilateral mastectomy & axillary lymph node clearance), radiotherapy, hormone therapy (Zoladex/goserelin), aromatase inhibitor (letrozole), targeted therapy (Kisqali/ribociclib)

Cat L., IDC & DCIS, Stage 2B, ER+

Symptom: Pain in left breast radiating from lump

Treatments: Bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy (tamoxifen)

Invasive Lobular Carcinoma Stories

Marissa T., ILC, Stage 4, BRCA2+

Symptoms: Appearance of lump in right breast, significant fatigue, hot flashes at night, leg restlessness leading to sudden, unexpected leg muscle cramps

Treatments: Chemotherapy, hormone therapy, PARP inhibitor, integrative medicine

Nikoo M., ILC, Stage 4 (Metastatic)

Symptoms: Gastrointestinal issues, food sensitivities, nausea

Treatments: Targeted therapy, hormone therapy

Kathleen M., ILC

Symptoms: Bloody nipple discharge, appearance of “shadow” during breast ultrasound

Treatments: Surgery (mastectomy), hormone therapy

Megan-Claire C., Stage 2 Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Stage 2 Breast Cancer Symptoms: Green bruises, sudden weight gain, brittle hair, zit on breast, mass in breast Treatment: Chemotherapy, surgeries, radiotherapy, hormone therapies

Previvor BRCA2 Stories

Erika S., BRCA2 Mutation

Cancer Details: Previvor
1st Symptoms: Family history of breast cancer, no physical symptoms
Treatment: Preventative double mastectomy, direct implant reconstruction
...

Breast Cancer Resources

middle aged patient in a hospital gown and cap with nurse behind her

Breast cancer general information

Breast Cancer Oncologists & Experts

Doug Blayney, MD

Oncologist: Specializing in breast cancer | HER2, Estrogen+, Triple Negative, Lumpectomy vs. Mastectomy
Experience: 30+ years
Institution: Stanford Medical