I’m Britney Beadle, an adventurous soul who loves being outdoors. I’ve always enjoyed hiking, being in nature, paddleboarding on the lake, or swimming in the ocean—anything that lets me feel connected to the outside world.
In February 2015, while I was still in high school, I found a lump and told my mom. She scheduled an ultrasound and a mammogram, and the doctors confirmed there was a mass. But they told me I was only 18 and that people my age don’t get breast cancer, so they sent me home. Three months later, everything changed. The lump had grown significantly and caused my nipple to invert. I knew something was wrong, so I went back for more tests. This time, they performed a biopsy, and I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
The same day, I was told I needed a double mastectomy. The doctors explained that because I was so young, removing both breasts would give me the best chance at a long life. My surgery was scheduled just a week later, leaving me almost no time to process everything. Things moved so fast, but I made peace with it. I just wanted to live.
My surgery happened on the day of my senior prom. While my friends were celebrating, I was in a hospital bed. My best friend came to visit me in her prom dress, while I wore a hospital gown. After surgery, when I first saw my body, it was overwhelming. I had gone from a double D to completely flat, with bruises and drains. I thought I would handle it, but I felt shocked and sick. That was the moment I realized I would have to learn to love my body again.
Recovery was difficult, but I had strong support. My mom and partner stayed with me, helping me walk and regain strength. The nurses and doctors were incredible, cheering me on as I took my first steps after surgery. About a month later, I had a PET scan, and that’s when I learned the cancer had already spread. I wasn’t in an early stage—I was stage four, metastatic. It had spread to my bones and liver. I was about to graduate high school, supposed to be starting my life, and instead I was being told it might end.
That moment was devastating, but I found something deep inside me—a strong sense that everything would somehow be okay. I had to learn to trust that feeling instead of the fear. When I went for a second opinion with another oncologist, I expected good news, but instead I was told the cancer had spread further. It was treatable, but not curable, and I would have to live with it for the rest of my life. I broke down completely. But later, the doctor reassured me that people had been living with this disease for decades and that new treatments were constantly being developed. That gave me hope, and that hope shaped my mindset moving forward.
Since then, I’ve been in treatment every 21 days and getting scans every three to four months for the past eight years. I’m currently on a treatment called Enhertu, which has been helping many people live longer. The side effects have been tough, especially nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. There were times I resisted taking medication for the side effects, but I learned there’s no reason to suffer when help is available. Simple things like medication, ginger chews, rest, and even short walks have made a big difference.
Fatigue has been one of the hardest parts. Sometimes I spend 10 out of 21 days in bed, but I’ve learned to listen to my body. Resting is okay, and so is slowly getting back up and moving when I can. Over the years, the cancer has progressed to different parts of my body—my bones, liver, brain, and lungs—but there has also been healing. My brain has been clear for over four years, my liver is clear, and other areas are improving. My most recent scans have shown positive changes.
In the beginning, scans used to terrify me. That “scanxiety” was overwhelming. But now I see them differently—as a way to understand what’s happening inside my body and guide my treatment. They are not just something to fear; they are something that can help.
When I had to switch treatments due to progression in my lungs, I was scared, especially after hearing about the side effects. I delayed starting for a while, but eventually I chose to approach it with a mindset of love instead of fear. I began visualizing healing during treatment, seeing it as something helping my body rather than harming it. That shift made a huge difference.
My life now moves in cycles—treatment, recovery, regaining energy, and then treatment again. It’s not easy, but I remind myself that this is not forever. It’s just my life right now, and I take it one day at a time, holding onto the possibility of a better future.
I’ve also learned how important it is to advocate for yourself. Asking questions, speaking up, and even changing doctors if needed is okay. Doctors play a huge role in your journey, and it’s important to find ones who align with you and give you not just information, but also hope.
Support has been everything for me. My family and friends have been incredible, but I also found strength in an online community. At first, I felt completely alone, not knowing anyone my age going through this. Then I discovered others online who understood exactly what I was experiencing. That connection helped me through some of my hardest moments.
Living with stage four cancer has had many ups and downs. There were times I felt stuck and thought things would never get better, but those moments always passed. Today, I’m living a life I never imagined—even with cancer. I travel, I explore, and I follow my dreams. Cancer changed my life, but it didn’t end it. In many ways, it gave me a new perspective and a new beginning.
Life with stage four cancer is hard, but it is still beautiful.
