I IGNORED The SIGNS! - LaShae | Breast Cancer | The Patient Story

[jodeli8551]

My name is Le R. I was diagnosed with multicentric breast cancer while living in Miami, Florida, though I was born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas. I’m a Caribbean woman currently pursuing a PhD in cancer prevention research, which makes my experience especially surreal because I am now studying the very disease that affected me. One of the most important lessons from my journey is the importance of advocating for yourself. Had I not pushed for testing, my cancer might have continued growing unnoticed until it reached a much later stage.

In 2022, before my diagnosis, I first noticed a small lump. It was movable, and based on research I had done during my master’s training, movable lumps are often less likely to be cancerous. At the time, I had just begun my PhD, and the demands of graduate school became my priority. Like many people, I placed my health on the back burner. I am also a competitive powerlifter, so any discomfort in my chest felt easy to attribute to training rather than something serious. Eventually, I forgot about the lump altogether.

Toward the end of 2023, I felt the lump again, but it had grown significantly and was now painful. The pain caught my attention and prompted me to schedule a wellness exam. Due to academic responsibilities, I postponed the appointment several times before finally being seen in January 2024 at my university’s student health center. During the visit, the doctor initially completed routine exams and was preparing to leave when she asked if anything else was concerning me. I mentioned the lump, and she immediately performed a breast exam and referred me for imaging out of caution. That decision ultimately helped save my life.

When scheduling imaging, I was told I was very young for a mammogram and was initially booked only for an ultrasound. Despite the hesitation, I insisted on moving forward. During intake, I noted my Bahamian heritage, which is significant because women from the Bahamas have higher rates of aggressive breast cancers linked to genetic mutations. During the ultrasound, technicians quickly became concerned. What was expected to be a short appointment turned into an extensive examination involving multiple measurements and additional staff. I learned they were seeing multiple masses rather than a single lump.

I was immediately sent for a mammogram the same day and then taken to a quiet room where a radiologist explained that there were calcifications throughout all four quadrants of my breast. Imaging showed widespread abnormalities measuring over 12 centimeters and involvement of lymph nodes. My report was categorized as BI-RADS 5, indicating at least a 95% likelihood of cancer. A biopsy was scheduled, and a few days later I received confirmation that the tumor was malignant. Surprisingly, receiving a definitive diagnosis brought relief after days of uncertainty and fear.

Further testing, including breast MRI and PET scans, confirmed multicentric breast cancer affecting all quadrants of the breast with nearby lymph node involvement but no distant spread. Because of the extent of disease, breast-conserving surgery was not an option. I underwent a simple mastectomy with flat closure on my 27th birthday, choosing to view that day as a celebration of removing cancer from my body.

Post-surgery pathology showed two positive lymph nodes, meaning chemotherapy and radiation would be necessary. My cancer was estrogen receptor positive, requiring long-term hormonal therapy for five to ten years. Additional genomic testing classified me as high risk for recurrence, leading my care team to recommend chemotherapy, which I am currently undergoing.

Chemotherapy was the part I feared most, yet the experience was more manageable than expected. I used scalp cooling to reduce hair loss and followed preventive measures such as cold compression for hands and feet to limit nerve damage. Within 24 hours of treatment, I returned to light training because maintaining muscle mass is known to improve treatment outcomes. However, fatigue, body soreness, gastrointestinal symptoms, and bone pain followed and lasted several days. Nutrition and movement became essential tools in recovery, as eating regularly and staying active significantly improved how I felt.

Being both a cancer patient and a cancer researcher has changed my perspective profoundly. My experience has strengthened my commitment to research focused on underserved and disparity populations, particularly adolescents and young adults with cancer. Young patients face unique challenges, including interrupted education, isolation, and being the youngest person in nearly every clinic waiting room. Many healthcare providers do not initially expect someone our age to be the patient, which adds another emotional layer to the experience.

Genetic testing covering 70 cancer-related genes revealed no known mutations, and I remain the first person in my family diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite having none of the typical risk factors, I developed the disease, reinforcing an important reality: statistics do not define individual outcomes.

Cancer is emotionally overwhelming, bringing fear, anger, sadness, and uncertainty. Support systems became vital for me, especially adolescent and young adult support groups where others understood exactly what I was experiencing. These communities provided guidance, reassurance, and connection during an isolating time.

My message to anyone listening is simple: advocate for yourself. You know your body better than anyone else. Even when statistics suggest you are low risk, seek medical evaluation if something feels wrong. Stay consistent with health checkups, maintain physical activity, nourish your body, and prioritize your well-being. Today, I see myself not only as a survivor but as living proof that experience can transform purpose, strengthening my mission to become both a better researcher and a stronger advocate for others facing