Her Story
Breast cancer has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. When I was just five years old, my paternal aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer in her mid-thirties as her mother and grandmother before her. Genetic testing revealed she carried the BRCA1 gene mutation, and her sister carried the BRCA2 mutation. As I was starting medical school in 2020, I underwent genetic testing which revealed I had the BRCA2 mutation.
At 25, I had my first breast cancer screening. The radiologist was concerned about my breast MRI, which led to an ultrasound and two tissue biopsies. Thankfully, the results came back negative. While I was relieved, I also began seriously planning for a prophylactic mastectomy. My plan was to get my mastectomy right after I finished residency. At that point I would be 30, and I could get my breasts removed before they became a problem.
In the spring of 2024, I was in my final semester of medical school. At the end of March, I noticed a small patch of red skin near my nipple. I thought I had scraped it on something. Two days later, I left for Europe to celebrate my graduation. During the trip, I noticed some changes in the appearance of my right breast, although I never felt a lump. When I returned, I scheduled an appointment with my PCP. She wasn’t too concerned and advised me to continue my annual screening. However, due to the closure of the previous imaging location, it took three months for me to get the records from my previous screening. No one would allow me to get new images without the prior year’s scans. Then, on June 1st, my husband and I moved to Virginia.
The day we arrived in Virginia, I had my husband call every PCP in the city. I knew something was wrong, but I didn't know what. I needed it to be figured out and settled before I started my residency in two weeks. Fortunately, we found a PCP that could see me that week who quickly ordered the appropriate imaging for the following week.
On Monday, June 17, I started my residency. That afternoon, I received a call from the pathologist: I had stage 3B breast cancer. I was only 26.
The news sent me spiraling. Based off my symptoms and my knowledge from medical school, I quickly came to the realization that I had inflammatory breast cancer and that this was bad.
I had to cope quickly, as residency plowed ahead. Luckily, I received full support from my residency program. And in two weeks, I was already receiving my first treatment. I’m deeply grateful to the doctors who moved things along so quickly, and to my residency program staff and co-residents who allowed me to adjust my schedule so I could continue my residency while undergoing treatment.
The latter half of June felt endless.
July was another whirlwind of balancing residency and medical appointments. I met with the genetic counselor, had my port placed, met the fertility specialist, started my Lupron injections, had more imaging, finally got my 2023 imaging from Texas, and made it to Boston for my second opinion where they confirmed my diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer.
As August rolled in, I continued with the Taxol portion of my chemotherapy. We got a third opinion at Duke, where they recommended adding Carboplatin to my treatment plan.
I am now 2 months in to chemotherapy, and have 3 more to complete. I have finished an intense in-patient rotation, and my side effects have started to build up. I am continuing on with my residency program, as I love serving my patients. However, I will be taking on lighter loads as I get weaker. After chemotherapy, I will pursue non-skin sparing double mastectomy followed by radiation. This plan is open-ended, as the future depends on my response to treatment. I am hopeful for my future as a physician and survivor of breast cancer. I hope to continue spreading awareness and information regarding my diagnosis and journey.